Проблеми сучасної психології (Dec 2022)
Efficacy of Psychotherapeutic Interventions in the Treatment of Breast Cancer Patients
Abstract
The aim of the article is to provide a theoretical review of methods of psychological assistance for breast cancer patients to describe the most effective ways to apply them in the work of a psychotherapist, taking into account the characteristics of patients and disease specifics. Methods of the research. The following theoretical research methods were used to solve the tasks: categorical and structural-functional methods, as well as analysis, synthesis, generalization, systematization, and comparison. Results and discussion. Based on the conducted theoretical analysis, three main psychotherapeutic approaches were identified, which are most often used in the work with breast cancer patients: cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, existential psychotherapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. It has been established that the methods of psychological intervention used within these approaches were effective and have contributed to improving a patient’s psychological state and quality of life, and the results were maintained long after therapy ends. However, depending on the purpose of the psychological intervention, the stage of the treatment process, and the psychosocial characteristics of the client, their use may differ in certain circumstances. It was therefore determined that cognitive behavioral therapy should be optimally implemented in the early stages of breast cancer treatment to form adaptive coping strategies, promote psychological adaptation to the disease, overcome anxiety before treatment, reduce fatigue and pain, model immune function, and overcome insomnia and sexual dysfunction. In turn, existential therapy leads to greater efficiency in solving interpersonal issues, promoting personal growth, finding meaning in life, overcoming existential fears, enhancing social support, and managing patient emotions. The use of this kind of psychotherapy has been found to be effective at any time during treatment, depending on the client’s needs, and had an advantage over other types of therapy in a group format. Among the approaches used in treating breast cancer patients, psychodynamic psychotherapy is the least researched. This type of intervention is highly effective when it comes to overcoming internal conflicts and reducing anxiety, depression, and fatigue. The difference between psychotherapy and psychological counseling in the treatment of breast cancer patients was also outlined. A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of psychotherapy and social support groups was conducted. The latest approaches to psychotherapy with breast cancer patients were described. Conclusions. The results of this review indicate that the choice of the optimal method of psychotherapeutic intervention for breast cancer patients will contribute to the rapid achievement of a positive outcome and its stability for a long time. In each specific case, the recommended type of therapy will depend on several factors: the stage of the treatment process and the stage of the disease, the patient’s request, his current psychological state, and psycho-social characteristics.
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