Quality of life, social support and uncertainty among Latina breast cancer survivors.

Example of Review of the Literature
Sammarco, A. & Konecny, L.M. (2008) Quality of life, social support and uncertainty among Latina breast cancer survivors. Oncology Nursing Forum. 35 (5) 844-849.
A study by Sammarco and Konecny (2008) looks at how social support and levels of uncertainty influence quality of life among Latina women who are survivors of breast cancer. The problem is introduced early on in the article and an argument for the need for this study is clear and convincing. To date much of the current research on this topic has been completed on White, middle to upper middle women. This allows the reader to understand the need for this study. The researchers provide a strong argument for the need for this study focusing on Latina women specifically. This problem has significance to nursing in that it is imperative that nurses understand the impact a diagnosis of breast cancer has on a women. By being able to gain a deeper understanding of how issues such as uncertainty and social support influence a Latina woman’s quality of life, nurses can develop interventions and support mechanisms aimed at promoting more support and
The purpose of this study was clearly stated as the desire to examine how both social support and uncertainty together influenced quality of life among Latina breast cancer survivors (Sammarco & Konecny, 2008). The study also wanted to look at these two variables, social support and uncertainty, individually in relationship to quality of life in this population. The purpose was clearly stated but there was no actual research question proposed, rather it can be understood from the statement of the purpose. The development of the purpose was logical based on the past research findings. Although there was no actual hypotheses presented, it was inferred based on what has been found in past research with other populations as well as other research addressing uncertainty and social support among the Latina culture. The hypothesis could be inferred as higher levels of social support would be related to lower levels of uncertainty. There was not prior research provided that addressed the potential relationship between uncertainty and quality of life but that helps support the need for this study more.
The researchers provide a detailed review of past literature focused on quality of life among multiethnic populations, perceived social support in women with breast cancer and uncertainty in relationship to social support, breast cancer and self-esteem (Sammarco & Konecny, 2008). They also provide past research focused on quality of life as it related to illness, early stage breast cancer and social support. Much of the research that is referred to in this article are older than 5 years which makes the reader wonder if no recent research has been done on this issue or if there needed to be a more comprehensive review of the literature. The researchers did not address whether there has been any more recent studies on this topic. The review of the literature is more of a summary of past findings. There is no critical analyses of these studies as well as identification of limitations of the studies that would support the need for this study. The review of the literature is presented in a logical and organized fashion focusing on Hispanic and Latina research, perceived support research, uncertainty and quality of life research. The review provides a foundation for the need for the proposed study while demonstrating gaps in the current literature that this study will address.
The researchers used two conceptual frameworks to support the study, both of which were appropriate and easily applicable to the foundation of the questions being asked (Sammarco & Konecny, 2008). The two theoretical frameworks were Mishel’s uncertainty in illness theory and Ferran’s model of quality of life. The researchers identified the main concepts and assumption of Mishel’s theory, which clearly linked with the concepts/variables they were addressing. They offered minimal description of the quality of life theory other than mentioning the theory itself. The relationship between social support as a mechanism to reduce uncertainty and improve quality of life was demonstrated with supportive evidence from past research provided. These theories are appropriate for this quantitative study. The researchers provided strong evidence addressing their reasoning for choosing these two frameworks.

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