Education and peer discussion group interventions and adjustment to breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
We report a clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of education-based and peer discussion-based group interventions on adjustment to breast cancer.


METHODS
Women with stage I, II, or III breast cancer (n = 312) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 group conditions: control, education, peer discussion, or education plus peer discussion (combination). Seven groups (each comprising 8-12 women) were conducted in each of the 4 conditions (28 groups total). Adjustment was measured before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 6 months after the intervention.


RESULTS
Consistently positive effects on adjustment were seen in the education groups both immediately following and 6 months after the intervention. There were no benefits of participation in peer discussion groups, and some indications of adverse effects on adjustment at both follow-up examinations. The effects could be explained by changes in self-esteem, body image, and intrusive thoughts about the illness.


CONCLUSIONS
Education-based group interventions facilitated the initial adjustment of women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. There was no evidence of benefits from peer discussion group interventions.
Helgeson
V S
VS
Psychology Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Cohen
S
S
Schulz
R
R
Yasko
J
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010379:Peer Group; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D016896:Treatment Outcome