title: Effectiveness of group psychotherapy compared to social support groups in patients with primary, non-metastatic breast cancer.
abstract: The aim of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of experiential-existential group psychotherapy with a social support group for women with a primary breast cancer on psychosocial adjustment. A total of 67 well-adjusted women, who had been operated not earlier than 4 months before start of the study, were randomized into one of the two conditions: participating in the group psychotherapy or in the support group. They were questioned at the start of the study, at the end of the intervention, and 1 year after completion of the intervention. Results at follow-up were mixed: Positive changes were reported for Body Image and Recreation, regardless of type of intervention. Other psychosocial adjustment indicators did not change. In general, we may conclude that well-adjusted women diagnosed with breast cancer do not specifically benefit from these types of interventions.
authors.affiliation: Helen Dowling Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands. vos@ikr.nl
authors.forename: Petra J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: Adriaan P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Garssen
authors.forename: Hugo J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Duivenvoorden
authors.forename: Hanneke C J M
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: de Haes
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires