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Psycho-Spiritual Integrative Therapy for Women with Primary Breast Cancer

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Abstract

Breast cancer presents physical and psychological challenges, but can also result in posttraumatic growth (PTG). Twenty-four women completed Psycho-Spiritual Integrative Therapy (PSIT) treatment and completed assessments for PTG and QOL before, immediately following, and 1 month after treatment. Women showed improvement (p < .01) on the FACT-B (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast) Physical Well-being, Emotional Well-being, and Functional Well-being subscales, on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) Depression, Anger, and Fatigue subscales (p < .05), and on their POMS Tension, Vigor and Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) scores (p < .01). Also, women showed improvement on the FACIT-Sp-Ex (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual) Meaning/Peace subscale, the Spiritual Well-being total scale (p < .01), and on the New Possibilities (p < .01) and Personal Strength (p < .05) subscales of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). This preliminary study suggests that PSIT may improve well being and stimulate PTG in breast cancer patients.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express our gratitude to Nicole Shechtman, Ph.D., Andrew Winzelberg, Ph.D., and Alexandra Aylward, B.A. for their contributions to this work. This research was funded by the Lloyd Symington Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Max Garlick & Kathleen Wall

  2. PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Diana Corwin

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, MC:5718, Stanford, CA, 94305-5718, USA

    Cheryl Koopman

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  1. Max Garlick
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  4. Cheryl Koopman
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Garlick, M., Wall, K., Corwin, D. et al. Psycho-Spiritual Integrative Therapy for Women with Primary Breast Cancer. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 18, 78–90 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-011-9224-9

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