The holographic flow

White’s (2000) model, Blood’s (2005) social constructivism, Weiss’s Model of Social Provisions (1974), and cohesion theory (Carron, Brawley, & Widmeyer, 1985) all guided my research at various stages. White’s (2000) model was initially created for cancer patients and their affected body part(s); however, my Study 1 was the first to employ White’s (2000) model in breast cancer survivors and physical activity. Given that the model focused on body image as a multidimensional construct, I used it to ensure its dimensions (e.g., self-schema, body image schema, investment in changed body image feature, appearance, and emotions etc.) were reflected in the individual semi-structured interviews in Study 1. More specifically, I used White’s model to guide questions related to thoughts, feeling, attitudes, and behaviours of body image in breast cancer survivors.

Furthermore, I focused on each dimension of White’s model to guide the interview questions to better understand the complexity of the women’s experiences. Additionally, my study was unique to White’s model in that it was the first to date that used the model to explore the body image experiences of breast cancer survivors. Brunet et al. (2013) suggested that researchers use White’s model for breast cancer and body image research since the model focuses on the multidimensionality of body image and does not limit the understanding of breast cancer survivors’ body image experiences. Thus, this research contributes to White’s model since it provides a practical example of how body image experiences can be understood by breast cancer survivors.

White’s (2000) model also emphasized the importance of using a social

constructivist perspective when studying cancer patients’ experiences. This approach is consistent with Blood’s (2005) emphasis on the need to include opportunities for women to be able voice their thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviours on their body image experiences in research. Furthermore, Blood (2005) has stated that body image is not a

“consistent and stable construct” (p.132), and that women can become aware of the changes that occur over time and subsequently interpret their body image experiences in a positive manner. It was important for me to recognize that body image experiences are complex and dynamic, and that women should not be pressured to focus on one

dimension of body image. I addressed this concern by focusing on the broader

dimensions of body image in the women’s stories. I facilitated the women’s narratives of their body image experiences, which added to the social constructivist literature since there is a lack of research on body image and breast cancer survivors that encourages them to voice their thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviours (Brunet et al., 2013).

Additionally, my research highlighted that the women were able to accept body-related changes from cancer, which led to overall positive body image experiences. For the women, camaraderie was a key finding that informed their body image experiences in CIBC Run for the Cure 5k, which led to choice of conceptual frameworks in Study 2 to represent camaraderie.

Study 2 informed Weiss’s model of social provisions (1974) in two ways. First, Holland and Holahan (2003) were the first to use the model of social provisions in breast cancer survivor research, showing the model to be applicable for breast cancer survivors.

However, I took this one step further and employed the model to breast cancer survivors participating in dragon boating. There is no known research that has explored social provisions in breast cancer survivors and physical activity. Study 2 showed perceived social support in the context of dragon boating as positive breast cancer experiences that contributed to the understanding of social provisions as part of the women’s camaraderie experiences. Second, Holland and Holahan (2003) found four provisions in their study (e.g., attachment, reassurance of worth, social integration, and guidance), while Study 2 in my dissertation supported five of the social provisions: social integration (shared breast cancer and dragon boat experiences), attachment (friendship), opportunity for nurturance (common bond), and reassurance of self-worth (encouragement and support), and

guidance (knowledge and information). Study 2 further informed Holland and Holahan’s (2003) work demonstrating the provision of opportunity for nurturance (common bond) to be relevant to the social support of breast cancer survivors involved in dragon boating.

Researchers have shown common bond to be important to breast cancer survivors in dragon boating, since it represents the shared experiences and guidance among the women, enabling them to move beyond their breast cancer experiences (Mitchell &

Nielsen, 2002; Unruh & Elvin, 2005). In sum, Study 2 supported five social provisions, which demonstrated perceived social support in the women’s camaraderie experiences.

Study 2 informed cohesion by providing depth to the four components of

cohesion: Individual Attractions to the Task, Individual Attractions to the Group-Social, Group Integration-Task, and Group Integration-Social. Cohesion is

multidimensional and consists of group and individual perceptions: group integration and individual attraction (Carron, Brawley, & Widmeyer, 1985). Group integration

represented the women’s perceptions of their team (e.g., sense of belonging and common bond). Individual attraction consisted of the women’s individual attractions to the team (e.g., team goal “life after breast cancer” and social relationships). Furthermore, task and social cohesion developed from the women’s focus on their team goal and social

relationships in their camaraderie experiences. It was apparent that dragon boating was a cohesive environment for the women to move beyond their breast cancer experiences, feel a sense of belonging, discover a common bond, and form social relationships.

Overall, the findings collected contributed to the initial stages of establishing a

conceptual framework for camaraderie to better understand the camaraderie experiences of breast cancer survivors and dragon boating.