The Effectiveness of Group Intervention on Enhancing Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the long-term effect of group intervention on enhancing cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies in female patients with early-stage breast cancer. Methods. The sample included 174 patients who were diagnosed with early-to-mid stage breast cancer, completed adjuvant therapy, and agreed to fill out demographic and cognitive emotion regulation questionnaires (CERQ). About half of the patients (86, 49.4%) chose to participate in an 8-session group intervention (intervention group) while the others (88, 50.6%) did not (comparison group). The structured intervention for enhancing coping strategies with special emphasis on emotion regulation was conducted at the oncology unit at Rabin Medical Center by 2 experienced therapists. Preliminary effects on CER evaluated 6, 12, and 24 months postintervention were compared to the CER of a group of patients that opted not to participate in the group intervention. Results. In the intervention group, the long-term effect (from baseline to 24 months) was assessed using the mix models module. Significant interaction effects were found for both the Negative CER scales (F (3, 268 ,404) = 3.66, P = .01) and for the Positive CER scales (F (3, 271 ,660) = 5.12, P = .002). No statistically significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics and medical variables were observed between the intervention and comparison groups. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that a group intervention aimed at empowerment of coping strategies had positive long-term outcomes that reinforce adaptive coping strategies and improve less effective strategies of cognitive emotion regulation.

Evaluation of coping as a mediator of the relationship between stressful life events and cancer-related distress.

“…Numerous interventions that include disengagement coping as a target have been developed for both cancer and non-cancer populations (Steinhardt & Dolbier, 2008). For example, in a recent study of a group intervention designed to enhance “cognitive emotion regulation” among breast cancer patients, improvements were demonstrated in both adaptive and maladaptive coping (Hamama-Raz et al, 2016). Furthermore, specific psychotherapy approaches often utilized with cancer patients (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral stress management) attempt to target disengagement coping (e.g., through the use of behavioral activation; identifying and challenging cognitive distortions; and addressing damaging, negative core beliefs about oneself and the world).…”

As Strong as We Are United: Effects of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Emotion Regulation on Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer

“…Since interpersonal regulation revealed a greater and more positive impact, it might be particularly helpful for breast cancer patients to engage in regulatory processes with their most immediate social relationships (e.g., family and close friends), as long as they are willing to get involved in the sharing process. Similarly, and in line with recent research (e.g., [36]), group intervention, support groups, or even online forums also represent powerful emotion regulation tools as they provide a safe environment where breast cancer patients can express their feelings, share their thoughts and disease-related concerns, trade useful information, and learn new techniques to better manage their condition. In return, these women feel more empowered, and get the support they need to cope with the disease from people that are in similar situations.…”

The Influence of Sleep Disturbance and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies on Depressive Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients

“…However, as mentioned earlier, several studies on altering the general use of coping strategies in breast cancer patients have reported that the intervention participants had greater coping efficacy, lower depressive symptoms and less perceived stress [9]. Hamama-Raz et al [32] reported that appropriate interventions during cancer treatment changed the pattern of use of coping strategies and that the patients then experienced more positive long term outcomes in terms of the enhancement of positive strategies and reduction of negative coping strategies.…”