abstract: 'Background: Although previous research has established a link between

  socioeconomic status (SES) and cancer outcomes, there is still little

  understanding of the processes that contribute to these outcome

  disparities. Objective: This study aimed to describe the ways a family''s

  SES influences their healthcare behavior after a child is diagnosed with

  cancer. Methods: The sample included 5 case study families and in-depth

  interviews with 21 parents. Case study families were interviewed and

  observed once a month for 6 months. Results: Parents'' finances

  influenced their ability to maintain household expenses and to pay for

  healthcare expenses and household help. Wealth and help from friends and

  family are important aspects of families'' financial statuses. Parents''

  educational attainment affected their ability to understand diagnosis

  and treatment options, their confidence and communication with

  healthcare professionals, and the utility of their social networks.

  Parents'' occupation influenced their work schedule flexibility, fringe

  benefits, and their access to and quality of employer-sponsored health

  insurance. Conclusions: Findings suggest that 3 overarching domains of

  SES (eg, financial, education, and occupation) have important

  implications for parents'' healthcare navigation. This study underscores

  the need to use a nuanced set of SES measures (beyond income and

  education) in future research to enhance our understanding of how SES

  affects healthcare navigation and refine intervention initiatives

  designed to help reduce health disparities. Implications for Practice:

  Cancer education initiatives should focus on enhancing patient-provider

  interactions, health communication, accessing health information, and

  resolving work and financial barriers to cancer care.'
affiliation: 'Gage, E (Corresponding Author), Roswell Pk Canc Inst, Dept Canc Prevent
  \& Populat Sci, Elm \& Carlton St, Buffalo, NY 14263 USA.

  Roswell Pk Canc Inst, Dept Canc Prevent \& Populat Sci, Buffalo, NY 14263 USA.'
author: Gage, Elizabeth
author-email: elizabeth.gage@roswellpark.org
author_list:
- family: Gage
  given: Elizabeth
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3181c29583
eissn: 1538-9804
files: []
issn: 0162-220X
journal: CANCER NURSING
keywords: Cancer; Health disparities; Pediatric oncology; Socioeconomic status
keywords-plus: FUNDAMENTAL CAUSES; SURVIVAL; HEALTH; DISPARITIES; US
language: English
month: MAY-JUN
number: '3'
number-of-cited-references: '19'
pages: E1-E9
papis_id: 8fedebf7ee3a5e78282f38940f3c0cb0
ref: Gage2010examiningmost
times-cited: '16'
title: Examining the Most Relevant Conceptualization of the Socioeconomic Status Construct
  for Cancer Research
type: article
unique-id: WOS:000277439400010
usage-count-last-180-days: '0'
usage-count-since-2013: '10'
volume: '33'
web-of-science-categories: Oncology; Nursing
year: '2010'