Group psychotherapy with mastectomy patients.

Abstract

This investigation examined the effectiveness of 10 weekly sessions of group psychotherapy with women who had mastectomies. Forty patients were divided into treatment and control groups, matched on age, marital status, time since surgery, prognosis, and socio-economic status. Psychological measuring instruments were administered to the treatment group pre-and posttherapy (10-week measure) and at a one-month follow-up (14-week measure). The control group was tested at corresponding times. The chief measures used were: the difference between self and ideal-self Q-sorts, and the Structured and Scaled Interview to Assess Maladjustment (SSIAM). Over the course of the therapy period, both treatment and control groups showed changes in a positive direction. The treatment group, however, showed significantly greater improvement fp < 0.01) on both the SSIAM and Q-sort. For the follow-up period (10-14 weeks), the group of women who had been in treatment continued to show significant change fp <0.01) on the SSIAM, but self-concept showed no additional change and remained at the level reached at the conclusion of therapy.

Some Observations on Individual and Marital Therapy with Breast Cancer Patients and Spouses

“…Units have varied from the individual patient (Gordon et al, 1980) and groups of patients (Clarke et al, 1982) to married couples (Christensen, 1983) and families (Gallo, 1977). Therapists have included psychiatrists (Spiegel, Bloom, & Yalom, 1981) as well as psychologists and social workers, but they have largely been nurses (Clacey, Thomas, & Pearson, 1988).…”