Author/Authors :
Shabani، Mina نويسنده Department of Psychiatry, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran , , Moghimi، Minoosh نويسنده Department of Hematology and Oncology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran , , Eghdam Zamiri، Reza نويسنده Department of Radiation Oncology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran , , Nazari، Fatemeh نويسنده Khomeini International University,Faculty of Science , , Mousavinasab، Nouraddin نويسنده , , Shajari، Zahra نويسنده Zanjan Metabolic Disease Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran ,
Abstract :
Background: Patients with breast cancer are predisposed to some psychiatric
symptoms and mental disorders as a result of their diagnosis or lifestyle. These
problems cause patients to have daily stress, feelings of guilt, anxiety, a dysphoric mood,
and impaired social relations. Such problems will lead to serious mental disorders.
Therefore, life skills training may enable patients to cope better with these problems
and improve their mental health.
Methods: In an experimental study 50 breast cancer patients were randomly
selected and assigned to two groups, experimental and control. The experimental
group attended life skills training classes continuously for ten weeks. The duration of
each class was two hours. Participants in both groups completed a General Health
Questionnaire-28 form before the commencement of classes, after two weeks of
training, and again at two months after course completion. The statistical method
used in this study was the t-test.
Results: In the life skills training group, patientsʹ depressive and anxiety symptoms,
somatization disorders, sleep disorders, and disorders of social functioning significantly
decreased (P < 0.0001). There was no change in the control group.
Conclusion: The results show that life skills training can be considered a supportive
method for symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep, and somatic disorders in patients
with breast cancer.
