title: Hope-based intervention for individuals susceptible to colorectal cancer: a pilot study.
abstract: Individuals undergoing genetic testing for hereditary colorectal cancer (HCRC) are prone to develop psychological problems. This study investigated the short-term efficacy of a hope-based intervention program in increasing hope levels and decreasing psychopathology among HCRC genetic testing recipients. A longitudinal study was carried out on HCRC genetic testing recipients recruited by the Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry. Participants joined a hope-based intervention program consisting of six sessions of weekly closed group therapy. Psychological questionnaires were administered immediately before the first and after the last sessions of the program measuring hope, anxiety and depression levels of the participants. There were 22 participants (7 men and 15 women) at a mean age of 49.4 ± 9.6 years. Women tended to have higher level of anxiety than men at pre-intervention. Paired sample t tests were conducted. Hope levels increased significantly from pre- to post-intervention (pre-total hope score = 5.56; post-total hope score = 6.07; t(1) = -0.281, p < 0.05). Anxiety level also decreased significantly from pre- to post-intervention (pre-anxiety score = 7.38; post-anxiety score = 5.90; t (1) = 2.35, p < 0.05). Our findings imply that hope-based intervention program would be effective in enhancing hope in HCRC genetic testing recipients. The program may also be more effective in alleviating anxiety than depression in these individuals.
authors: Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors: Samuel Mun-yin
authors: SM
authors: Ho
authors: Judy Wai-chu
authors: JW
authors: Ho
authors: Barbara Ka-yan
authors: BK
authors: Pau
authors: Bryant Pui-hung
authors: BP
authors: Hui
authors: Rosa Sze-mun
authors: RS
authors: Wong
authors: Annie Tsz-wai
authors: AT
authors: Chu
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012042:Registries; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires