Session: Rooted in Culture, Sustained By Community: Centering Cultural Values and Social Support in Psychosocial Oncology for Underserved Populations (Society for Social Work and Research 30th Annual Conference Anniversary)

Background and Purpose: Cultural values, social relationships, and community connection deeply shape how cancer survivors and caregivers experience illness, seek support, and engage with care. Yet, psychosocial cancer interventions often overlook these dimensions--particularly for underserved Black and Asian populations--by centering individual coping and universal models of care. This symposium brings together three qualitative studies that illuminate how underserved cancer-impacted communities rely on cultural norms, relational caregiving, and collective resilience to navigate cancer. Together, these studies ask: How do cultural values and community-based support systems shape psychosocial needs and intervention engagement for underserved populations?

Methods: Each study employed qualitative methods to explore culturally grounded experiences of cancer care: Study 1 held three virtual focus groups with Black cancer survivors (n=14) following a culturally responsive group intervention to understand their motivation of participation. Study 2 conducted dyadic interviews with 10 Black breast cancer patient-caregiver pairs (N=20), exploring shared caregiving experiences. Study 3 conducted semi-structured interviews with Chinese-speaking cancer patients (n=5), one caregiver, and practitioners (n=10) to understand preferences and challenges in culturally aligned group support. Participants were recruited through clinical programs or community networks. Thematic and directed analyses were conducted by interdisciplinary teams including cultural insiders and community practitioners.

Results: Across studies, participants underscored the importance of belonging, shared identity, and culturally anchored care: Black survivors in Study 1 were drawn to the group-based intervention for its cultural relevance, affirming space, and opportunity to support others. Study 2 revealed caregiving as a mutual, faith- and family-driven act, where emotional and practical care were inseparable. Study 3 identified elements essential to group support for Chinese-speaking patients, including culturally grounded health information, gradual introduction of emotional support, alignment with family-centered value.

Conclusions and Implications: These studies collectively emphasize that psychosocial oncology must move beyond one-size-fits-all models to engage underserved communities in ways that honor their cultural frameworks and social realities. Participants sought care that was relational, culturally safe, and grounded in family and community values. To advance health equity, interventions should be co-developed with communities, incorporate collective caregiving models, and create spaces where cultural identity is reflected and respected. By rooting psychosocial support in culture and community, oncology care can become more accessible, meaningful, and impactful for those historically left out of the system.