Cancer Control Research
5R01CA061303-08
Helgeson, Vicki S.
ADJUSTMENT TO BREAST CANCER
AbstractDESCRIPTION:
This is a competing continuation of a 4-year study that was originally
funded to compare the effectiveness of educational interventions aimed at
providing informational support and peer discussion interventions aimed at
providing emotional support on the quality of life and compliance among
women with Stage I or II breast cancer. Women (n = 312) were randomly
assigned to one of four conditions: peer discussion, education, combination
(peer discussion + education), and control. Seven separate groups, each
composed of 10-12 women, were run in each of the four conditions (n = 28)
groups). Results indicate that women who were assigned to educational
interventions had better psychological and physical adjustment than women
who were not assigned to such interventions. These results are based on
short-term (1-2 weeks post-intervention) and longer-term (6 months
post-intervention) follow-up. The same findings emerge when group level
data are analyzed. The primary goal of the competing continuation is to
examine the longer-term effects of education and peer discussion
interventions on adjustment (up to 5 years) to see if the positive effects
of education persist and if positive effects for peer discussion emerge.
There are two secondary aims: (1) to evaluate the effects of the
interventions on 5-year recurrence and (2) to evaluate the effects of other
psychosocial variables--independently and in interaction with the
interventions--on 5-year adjustment and recurrence. Women will be sent
questionnaires on an annual basis, up to 5 years post-intervention. Medical
records will be evaluated to gather information on recurrence.
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