The effect of behavioral intervention on the psychological distress of Holocaust survivors with cancer.
METHODS
This study describes a particular psychological intervention offered to a unique self-selected population of cancer patients who, 50 years earlier, had experienced the extreme trauma of the Holocaust. A total of 45 patients in follow-up at the Outpatient Clinic of the Oncology Department at the Hadassah University Hospital were approached. Two self-reports were administered: the Brief Symptom Inventory to assess psychological distress, and the Impact of Events Scale to assess intrusion and avoidance.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in distress by the specific short-term psychological intervention used in this traumatized population. However, 3 months later the improvement virtually disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
This study failed to demonstrate a long-lasting effect of behavioral intervention upon Holocaust survivors with cancer.
Baider
L
L
Department of Psycho-Oncology, Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Peretz
T
T
Kaplan De-Nour
A
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003209:Concentration Camps; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007557:Israel; D007585:Jews / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D012803:Sick Role; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013534:Survival / Q000523:psychology*