Investigating Effectiveness of Existential and Reality Group-Therapy in Treatment of Body-Image Problem in Women Who Undergo Mastectomy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Assistant professor of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Assistant professor of Radiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of existential and reality group therapy in treatment of body-image problem in women who undergo mastectomy.
Methods: This semi-experimental trial was carried out on 24 women who were undergone mastectomy and finished chemotherapy and radiotherapy periods. Participants were selected voluntarily and randomly and divided in three groups include two case and one control groups. Existential and reality group therapy was applied on case group while control group received no intervention. Data were assessed by Multidimensional Body-Self Relation Questionnaire (MBSRQ) including six subscales of appearance evaluation, appearance orientation, fitness evaluation, mental weight, and body satisfaction. Data were analyzed by using SPSS statistical software version 16 and ANCOVA and MANCOVA tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: In this study there was significant difference only in appearance orientation in both groups (p=0.039) while no significant difference was seen in appearance evaluation (p=0.423), fitness evaluation (p=0.369), fitness orientation (p=0.116), mental weight (p=0.055), and body satisfaction (p=0.053). However, the mean test-score of the existential group therapy was higher than that of the reality group therapy (p=0.004).
Conclusion: Existential group therapy is effective in treatment of body-image problem in women who have undergone mastectomy, but reality group therapy had not significant effect.

Keywords

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 15, Issue 22 - Serial Number 22
September 2012
Pages 27-35

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