Group support for patients with metastatic cancer. A randomized outcome study.
01 May 1981-Archives of General Psychiatry (American Medical Association)-Vol. 38, Iss: 5, pp 527-533
TL;DR: Objective evidence is provided that a supportive group intervention for patients with metastatic cancer results in psychological benefit and mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of this group intervention are explored.
Abstract: • The effects of weekly supportive group meetings for women with metastatic carcinoma of the breast were systematically evaluated in a one-year, randomized, prospective outcome study. The groups focused on the problems of terminal illness, including improving relationships with family, friends, and physicians and living as fully as possible in the face of death. We hypothesized that this intervention would lead to improved mood, coping strategies, and self-esteem among those in the treatment group. Eighty-six patients were tested at four-month intervals. The treatment group had significantly lower mooddisturbance scores on the Profile of Mood States scale, had fewer maladaptive coping responses, and were less phobic than the control group. This study provides objective evidence that a supportive group intervention for patients with metastatic cancer results in psychological benefit. Mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of this group intervention are explored.
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01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: Cognitive and behavioural coping responses to early breast cancer in the first post-operative year were explored and increased mood disturbance was associated with pre-occupation with the disease, a fatalistic attitude towards the prognosis, and denial of the threat of the disease.
Abstract: This study explored the cognitive and behavioural coping responses to early breast cancer in the first post-operative year. The association between these coping responses, other psychosocial factors, physical variables and psychological outcome, was analysed. Literature review highlighted difficulties in the definition and measurement of coping. Consequently, this study included the methodological development of two existing coping measures, comprising a standardised questionnaire and an interview designed specifically for patients with cancer, which were based on Lazarus and Folkman's transactional model of stress and coping. The adapted measures were subsequently used in the main longitudinal study of 107 women with early breast cancer, who were interviewed preoperatively and at three and twelve months after operation. The study demonstrated the use of a wide repertoire of coping responses. Patterns of use of individual coping strategies varied over the course of the first post-operative year. Initial levels of mood disturbance were high, but these declined significantly after operation. An overall approach of 'selective ignoring' associated with lower levels of mood disturbance, involved attempts to continue life as normal, cognitive avoidance and positive appraisal of the disease. Use of humour and acceptance of the diagnosis were also related to better psychological outcome. Increased mood disturbance was associated with pre-occupation with the disease, a fatalistic attitude towards the prognosis, and denial of the threat of the disease. Positive support from a close confidante was not associated with mood. However, negative or critical relationships as well as the active seeking of support were associated with increased mood disturbance. Psychosocial variables related to a poorer psychological outcome included marital status, previous psychological treatment, family history of malignant disease, personal history of benign breast disease, age, menopausal status and the presence of young children at home. The effect of surgical procedure and adjuvant treatment were inconclusive.
2 citations
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: Psychosocial and behavioral factors play a role in determining quality of life once individuals develop cancer, degree to which individuals can successfully manage some treatment-related symptoms and perhaps even outcome of treatment.
Abstract: Cancer is, in many ways, a behavioral problem. Since researchers estimate that we could prevent, or at least successfully treat, more than half of all cancers if people changed their behaviors so as to reduce risk of developing the disease and increase likelihood of early detection and treatment if it does develop (Tubiana, 1991). In addition to prevention and early detection, psychosocial and behavioral factors play a role in determining quality of life once individuals develop cancer, degree to which individuals can successfully manage some treatment-related symptoms and perhaps even outcome of treatment.
1 citations
01 Jan 2012
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01 Jan 2013
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Cites background from "Group support for patients with met..."
...The work that Spiegel, Bloom, and Yalom (1981) did on the previous study led to their most controversial finding to date....
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12 Apr 2021
TL;DR: Improved survival means a larger cohort of patients are living with the long-term effects of the cancer and its treatment on their quality of life (QOL) and several new treatments are emerging, such as immunotherapy, which are prolonging the lives of many patients with head and neck cancer.
Abstract: Cancers arising from the head and neck represents the seventh most common cancer site in Australia (1), accounting for over 700,000 (over 5%) new cancer diagnoses worldwide and an estimated 450,000 (4.8%) deaths each year (2). The demographics and prognosis of patients with head and neck cancer are diverse and continually changing. In contrast to tobacco-related mucosal cancer, human papilloma virus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancers are common in younger males (3). HPV associated tumours have a much more favourable prognosis than smoking associated mucosal cancers (4). Several new treatments are emerging, such as immunotherapy, which are prolonging the lives of many patients with head and neck cancer. Improved survival means a larger cohort of patients are living with the long-term effects of the cancer and its treatment on their quality of life (QOL) (5). These patients live with the physical and emotional consequences of Original Article
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TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of reward or reinforcement on preceding behavior depend in part on whether the person perceives the reward as contingent on his own behavior or independent of it, and individuals may also differ in generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement.
Abstract: The effects of reward or reinforcement on preceding behavior depend in part on whether the person perceives the reward as contingent on his own behavior or independent of it. Acquisition and performance differ in situations perceived as determined by skill versus chance. Persons may also differ in generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. This report summarizes several experiments which define group differences in behavior when Ss perceive reinforcement as contingent on their behavior versus chance or experimenter control. The report also describes the development of tests of individual differences in a generalized belief in internal-external control and provides reliability, discriminant validity and normative data for 1 test, along with a description of the results of several studies of construct validity.
21,451 citations
Book•
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01 Jan 1969
TL;DR: In this article, the implications of terminal illness for patients and for those involved in their care were discussed, and patients invited to talk about their experience found great relief in expressing their fear and anger and were able to move towards a state of acceptance and peace.
Abstract: Although most areas of human experience are nowadays discussed freely and openly, the subject of death is still surrounded by conventional attitudes and reticence that offer only fragile comfort because they evade the real issues. The dying may thus be denied the opportunity of sharing their feelings and discussing their needs with family, friends, or hospital staff. Although receiving devoted medical care, a dying patient is often socially isolated and avoided, since professional staff and students can find contact painful and embarrasing.
Aware of the strains imposed on all sides by this situation, Dr Kubler-Ross established a seminar at the University of Chicago to consider the implications of terminal illness for patients and for those involved in their care. Patients invited to talk about their experience often found great relief in expressing their fear and anger and were able to move towards a state of acceptance and peace. The seminar, initially composed of students of medicine, sociology, psychology, and theology, but later joined by hospital staff and relatives of patients, enabled many members to come to terms with their own feelings and to respond constructi to what the patients had to teach them.
5,220 citations
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1,254 citations
TL;DR: A study of 800 outpatient visits to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles as discussed by the authors explored the effect of verbal interaction between doctor and patient on patient satisfaction and follow-through on follow-up.
Abstract: Study of 800 outpatient visits to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles to explore the effect of the verbal interaction between doctor and patient on patient satisfaction and follow-through on...
947 citations