Effect of logotherapy group counseling on depression in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. As the breast plays an important role in female sexuality, cancer diagnosis may evoke negative psychological reactions such as fear, anxiety, and depression; and in treating these complications less dangerous proce4dures must be taken into consideration. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of logotherapy group counseling on reduction of depression in breast cancer patients in Birjand Mateials and A quasi-experimental, pretest/post-test control group was used in our study. Statistical population consisted of breast cancer patients in Birjand city between 2010 and the first half of 2011. The sample included 22 breast cancer patients who were non–randomly divided into intervention and control groups, based on DSM criteria (DSMVR) and Beck’s Depression Inventory, achieved grade 13 at least. The experimental group participated in logotherapy with a group counseling approach for ten 2 hour sessions and the control group did not receive any psychological treatments. SPSS software (V: 13) and statistical tests independent and dependent t were; and α=0.05 was taken as the significant level. The rate of depression significantly decreased in the experimental group (8.27±4.7, P<0.001), while it was unchanged in the control group. Regarding the findings of the present study, it is recommended that, in addition to medicinal treatments, logotherapy should be applied to such patients.