Social Support Training for Lung Cancer Survivors

This trial aims to determine if training designed to boost social skills and awareness can improve the quality of life for long-term lung cancer survivors. The study will test two approaches: one focuses on recognizing social support cues and building social skills (social support receptivity training), and the other enhances awareness of existing social support (social awareness training). Participants will use their phones to track social interactions and share their experiences. Suitable candidates for this trial include individuals who have had lung cancer for at least a year, speak English, and can attend sessions at the University of Arizona, either online or in person. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance social well-being for lung cancer survivors.

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are undergoing treatment for mood or anxiety issues, you cannot participate in the trial.

Research has shown that treatments focusing on social support, such as social support receptivity training, can enhance the quality of life for lung cancer survivors. Studies suggest that increased social support can improve patients' perceptions of their health and overall well-being. These treatments often incorporate techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reduce social anxiety and enhance social skills.

Researchers are excited about these treatments because they offer a fresh approach to supporting lung cancer survivors by focusing on social skills and awareness. Unlike traditional treatments that typically center around medication or direct cancer therapies, these interventions aim to enhance social engagement and receptivity to social support. The Social Support Receptivity Training involves a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach that helps participants recognize and respond to prosocial cues, boosting their social skills and interactions. Meanwhile, the Social Awareness Training increases participants' awareness of the social support networks they already have, potentially improving their quality of life and emotional well-being. This focus on the social aspects of recovery is what sets these treatments apart and generates excitement among researchers.

Research has shown that increased social support can greatly enhance the quality of life for lung cancer survivors. This trial will compare two programs: Social Support Receptivity Training, a 3-week, 6-session CBT intervention that targets cognitive awareness of prosocial cues and includes behavioral activation and social skills training, and Social Awareness Training, a 3-week, 6-session program designed to increase awareness of the social support already available to participants. Studies have found that programs like these can improve mental and emotional health. Evidence suggests that when lung cancer survivors feel more supported, they experience less stress and depression, which in turn enhances their overall quality of life.¹³⁴⁶⁷