Authors
Vicki S Helgeson, Sheldon Cohen, Richard Schulz, Joyce Yasko
Publication date
1999/4/1
Journal
Archives of general psychiatry
Volume
56
Issue
4
Pages
340-347
Publisher
American Medical Association
Description
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 …
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Scholar articles
VS Helgeson, S Cohen, R Schulz, J Yasko - Archives of general psychiatry, 1999