Document Type : Scientific Research

Authors

• Gholamreza Talebi ¹
• Hasan Rezayi Jamaloui ²
• Reza Bagherian Sararodi ³
• Hamidreza Oreyzi ⁴
• Pegah Bagherian-Sararoudi ⁵

¹ Assistant Professor of Health Psychology, Clinical Research Development Center, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

² Associate Professor of Health Psychology, Clinical Research Development Center, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

³ Professor, Department of Health Psychology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran and Professor, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

⁴ Professor, Department of Psychology, School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Isfahan University, Isfahan

⁵ Medical Intern, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, iran

Abstract

Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. From its diagnosis to treatment and potential recurrence, it significantly impacts the quality of life and life satisfaction of patients. In fact, breast cancer influences patients' lifestyles and presents numerous challenges. Unfortunately, individuals diagnosed with cancer are inevitably confronted with their own mortality. Consequently, death anxiety is evident among these patients, often resulting in an abnormal fear of death accompanied by feelings of panic and dread. Following a cancer diagnosis, women frequently experience intense psychological reactions, one of which is the sensation of being close to death. Today, death anxiety is recognized as a critical psychological factor in cancer patients. Moreover, breast cancer reduces distress tolerance in affected individuals. The psychological distress caused by cancer is a specific emotional discomfort experienced temporarily or permanently by individuals in response to particular stressors and harmful demands. Given the significance of this condition, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of meaning-centered group therapy on death attitudes and distress tolerance in women with breast cancer. Method: In this quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest and follow-up design with control group, 36 women with breast cancer and death anxiety were selected through convenience sampling from Sayed al-Shohada Hospital and the Ala Cancer Prevention and Control Center in Isfahan during 2020–2021. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (18 participants) and a control group (18 participants). The experimental group underwent eight weekly 90-minute sessions of meaning-centered group therapy. Data were collected using the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (1970), Wong et al.'s Death Attitudes Profile (1994), and the Simons and Gaher Distress Tolerance Scale (2005) at three stages: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS-23 software. Results:  The results indicated that meaning-centered group therapy significantly improved death attitudes and distress tolerance in the experimental group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: It appears that meaning-centered group therapy positively impacts death attitudes and distress tolerance in women with breast cancer. In Meaning-Centered Therapy, by revisiting the definition of suffering and hardship, individuals are encouraged to seek life-affirming meaning when facing life’s difficulties and challenges, enabling them to cope with these hardships in a constructive manner. If a person successfully finds meaning in the bitter and discouraging events of life, they will be able to endure its adversities. Meaning-Centered Therapy emphasizes the freedom of the human spirit, asserting that individuals are not governed by deterministic laws. Humans have the right to choose their attitude toward any given situation. Decision-making is left to the individual, and no external factor has the power to dictate how one thinks or behaves in the face of unchangeable circumstances. Individuals are always responsible for their actions and words. Consequently, the perspective one adopts toward issues and difficulties is of paramount importance in this therapeutic approach. Meaning-Centered Therapy aims to foster a meaning-oriented outlook in individuals when confronted with hardships. Therefore, it is evident that Meaning-Centered Therapy can influence an individual’s attitude toward difficulties and challenges, enhancing their capacity to tolerate distress. Therefore, it is recommended to use meaning-centered therapy to support women with breast cancer experiencing death anxiety.

Keywords

• Meaning-Centered Group Therapy
• Death
• Distress Tolerance
• Breast Cancer

Main Subjects

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