The Effects of the Training Program and Counseling Program Given to Women Who Underwent a Mastectomy and Spouses

Abstract

Following breast cancer treatment, many families are negatively affected following the treatment for breast cancer of their women members. This study focused on assessing the effects of the training program and counseling program given to women who underwent a mastectomy and their spouses. Sixty women and 60 spouses were recruited for this study. The women in the experimental group and their spouses were provided with a four-session training program, once a week. Following this training, a 3-month follow-up and counseling were given and an assessment made. There was significant difference between average post-test scores of spouses in the experimental and control groups, in terms of problem solving (p = .003), communication (p = .033), and roles (p = .000) dimensions of family assessment device (FAD). Noting that women in the experimental and control groups demonstrated significant differences among average post-test scores in terms of role emotional (p = .045) and mental health (p = .017) dimensions of Quality of Life Scale (SF-36), a significant difference existed among average post-test scores of spouses in the experimental and control groups in terms of general health (p = .017), role physical (p = .011), role emotional (p = .003), and mental health (p = .005) dimensions of Quality of Life Scale. These results indicated that training and counseling program provided to this population produced positive effects upon family functioning and quality of life.