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A randomized clinical trial of group-based cognitive-behavioral stress management in localized prostate cancer: Development of stress management skills improves quality of life and benefit finding

  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background: Recent literature has indicated that a significant percentage of oncology patients describe finding some benefit (e.g., improved personal growth, sense of meaning, and enhanced interpersonal relationships) in the cancer experience. However, few studies have investigated the role of group-based psychosocial interventions in improving benefit finding (BF), and virtually none have investigated these constructs in men.Purpose: This study examined whether a cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention improves BF and quality of life (QoL) in men recovering from treatment for localized prostate cancer.Methods: Participants in this study were 191 men (M age = 65.1) treated with radiation or radical prostatectomy for clinically localized (i.e., Stage I or II) prostate cancer. Participants were primarily non-Hispanic White (40%) or Hispanic (41 %), followed by Black (18%) and other ethnicity (1 %), were an average of 65.1 years old (SD = 7.7), and earned an average of $47,800 annually (SD = $41,000). Participants were randomized to either a 10-week group-based cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention or a half-day educational seminar as a control condition. All participants provided demographic information and completed the Positive Contributions Scale-Cancer to assess BF, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy to measure quality of life, and a measure of perceived stress management skills. Structural equation modeling was utilized for all analyses.Results: Results indicated that the CBSM condition led to increases in BF and QoL and that these changes were mediated by the development of stress management skills.Conclusions: Results support the use of group-based cognitive-behavioral interventions in promoting QoL and BF in this population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185, 33134, Coral Gables, FL

    Frank J. Penedo Ph.D.

  2. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, USA

    Frank J. Penedo Ph.D.

  3. Miami VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, USA

    Frank J. Penedo Ph.D.

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, USA

    Ivan Molton M.A.

  5. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, USA

    Jason R. Dahn Ph.D.

  6. Miami VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, USA

    Jason R. Dahn Ph.D.

  7. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, USA

    Biing-Jiun Shen Ph.D., Dave Kinsinger M.S., Lara Traeger B.A. & Scott Siegel M.S.

  8. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, USA

    Neil Schneiderman Ph.D.

  9. Miami VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, USA

    Neil Schneiderman Ph.D.

  10. Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, USA

    Neil Schneiderman Ph.D.

  11. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, USA

    Michael Antoni Ph.D.

  12. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, USA

    Michael Antoni Ph.D.

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  1. Frank J. Penedo Ph.D.
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  2. Ivan Molton M.A.
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  3. Jason R. Dahn Ph.D.
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  8. Neil Schneiderman Ph.D.
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  9. Michael Antoni Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Frank J. Penedo Ph.D..

Additional information

This study was supported by National Cancer Institute grant 1P50CA84944.

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Penedo, F.J., Molton, I., Dahn, J.R. et al. A randomized clinical trial of group-based cognitive-behavioral stress management in localized prostate cancer: Development of stress management skills improves quality of life and benefit finding. ann. behav. med. 31, 261–270 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3103_8

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