Comparison of the Effectiveness of Group Gestalt Therapy and Selection Theory on Marital Intimacy in Women with Breast Cancer in Yasuj, Iran

Abstract

Background & aim: Cancer is one of the life-threatening diseases and causes an increase in emotional disorders and a significant decrease in the quality of life in patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine and compare the effectiveness of group gestalt therapy and selection theory on marital intimacy in women with breast cancer in Yasuj, Iran. Methods:The present study used and experimental design with pretest-posttest method with control group, which was conducted during 2019-2020. The statistical population of the present study was 60 women using purposive non-random sampling method who were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (20 women in each group). Thompson and Walker marital intimacy questionnaire was used to collect data. The experimental groups underwent group gestalt therapy (10 sessions of 60 minutes) and selection theory (10 sessions of 60 minutes), but the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Result:The results indicated that both group gestalt therapy and selection theory were effective in increasing marital intimacy in women with breast cancer in Yasuj (P = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in breast size in Yasuj, Iran (P = 0.0001). These results continued until the follow-up stage. Conclusion:It can be concluded that group gestalt therapy and selection theory could be used to increase marital intimacy in women with breast cancer. These therapies could help improve the performance of women with breast cancer in improving the level of marital intimacy.