List of Titles

Psychosocial adaptation in female partners of men with prostate cancer

- Love, Anthony, Bloch, Sidney, Kissane, David, Street, B.C.

Authors: Love, Anthony , Bloch, Sidney , Kissane, David , Street, B.C.
Date: 2009
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: European Journal of Cancer Care Vol. 1, no. (2009), p. 1-9
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Description: The objective was to explore the psychosocial adaptation of female partners living with men with a diagnosis of either localized or metastatic prostate cancer. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 50 women at two time points (baseline and 6 months later). The interviews examined emotions, experiences, attitudes to sexual and continence issues and treatment decision making. As part of a larger prospective observational study, demographic data and scores for depression and anxiety were collected. Initial analysis demonstrated that the group of 11 women assessed as distressed on the anxiety and depression measures described reduced coping skills and poorer adaptation after 6 months. In contrast, the 39 women in the non-distressed group reported emotional adaptation that fitted the Lazarus and Folkman pattern of coping through appraisal of the impact of the diagnosis on their partner and themselves, appraisal of coping strategies and reappraisal of the situation. A surprise finding was the high level of resilience displayed by majority of these women. Results suggest that a psychosocial intervention could strengthen healthy adaptation and provide better coping skills for distressed couples.

Supportive-expressive group therapy for women with metastatic breast cancer : Survival and psychosocial outcome from a randomized controlled trial

- Kissane, David, Grabsch, Brenda, Clarke, David, Smith, Graeme, Love, Anthony, Bloch, Sidney, Snyder, Raymond, Li, Yuellin

Authors: Kissane, David , Grabsch, Brenda , Clarke, David , Smith, Graeme , Love, Anthony , Bloch, Sidney , Snyder, Raymond , Li, Yuellin
Date: 2007
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Psycho-Oncology Vol. 16, no. 4 (2007), p. 277-286
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Description: Background: Mixed reports exist about the impact of supportive-expressive group therapy (SEGT) on survival. Methods: From 485 women with advanced breast cancer recruited between 1996-2002, 227 (47%) consented and were randomized within an average 10 months of cancer recurrence in a 2:1 ratio to intervention with 1 year or more of weekly SEGT plus three classes of relaxation therapy (147 women) or to control receiving three classes of relaxation therapy (80 women). The primary outcome was survival; psychosocial well-being was appraised secondarily. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. Results: SEGT did not prolong survival (median survival 24.0 months in SEGT and 18.3 in controls; univariate hazard ratio for death 0.92 [95% CI, 0.69-1.26]; multivariate hazard ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.74-1.51]). Significant predictors of survival were treatment with chemotherapy and hormone therapy (p<0.001), visceral metastases (p<0.001) and advanced disease at first diagnosis (p<0.05). SEGT ameliorated and prevented new DSM-IV depressive disorders (p = 0.002), reduced hopeless-helplessness (p = 0.004), trauma symptoms (p = 0.04) and improved social functioning (p = 0.03). Conclusions: SEGT did not prolong survival. It improved quality of life, including treatment of and protection against depression. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Description: C1
Description: 2003007261

What works for therapists conducting family meetings : Treatment integrity in family-focused grief therapy during palliative care and bereavement

- Chan, Eunice, O'Neill, Imogen, McKenzie, Maria, Love, Anthony, Kissane, David

Authors: Chan, Eunice , O'Neill, Imogen , McKenzie, Maria , Love, Anthony , Kissane, David
Date: 2004
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Vol. 27, no. 6 (2004), p. 502-512
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Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment integrity of Family-focused Grief Therapy (FFGT), a preventive intervention designed for families at high risk of poor functioning during palliative care and bereavement. From the 81 families participating in a randomized controlled trial (53 assigned to therapy), 28 were randomly selected for this study of treatment fidelity using the ITGT integrity measure. A total of 109 family sessions were appraised. This represented a review of 62 % of treated families, 38 % of total therapy sessions, and 87% of the 15 participating therapists. Weighted mean percentage occurences therapist behaviors permitted trends in therapy application to be observed. Inter-rater reliability using the FFGT integrity measure was satisfactory, with 88 % overall agreement. Eighty-six percent of therapists adhered faithfully to core elements of the model. Therapist competence was evidenced by a strong therapeutic alliance (94 %), affirmation of family strengths in over 90%, and focus on agreed themes in 76 % of sessions. Therapists averaged 10 grief-related questions per session, 7 on communication-related issues during assessment, 7 on conflict late in therapy, and 4 on cohesiveness across the course of therapy. Consistent application of FFGT, with attention to its low-key themes of family communication, cohesiveness, conflict resolution, and shared grief has been demonstrated. The model is generalizable when applied by family therapists. (C) 2004 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Coping patterns and psychosocial distress in female partners of prostate cancer patients

- Couper, Jeremy, Bloch, Sidney, Love, Anthony, Duchesne, Gillian, MacVean, Michelle, Kissane, David

Authors: Couper, Jeremy , Bloch, Sidney , Love, Anthony , Duchesne, Gillian , MacVean, Michelle , Kissane, David
Date: 2009
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Psychosomatics Vol. 50, no. 4 (2009), p. 375-382
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Description: Background: With medical advances since the 1990s, a growing proportion of patients are living for many years with prostate cancer (PCA) and the consequences of its treatment. Objective: The authors investigated the experience of being diagnosed with cancer and the effects of its treatment on patients' partners. Method: The authors conducted an observational, longitudinal study of 103 couples facing the diagnosis of either localized (potentially curable) or metastatic (incurable) PCA at Time 1 and then 6 months later (Time 2). Results: At both Time 1 and Time 2, psychological distress, marital satisfaction, and family functioning were measured in patients and partners; coping was measured in partners only. Partner maladaptive coping patterns of avoidance and self-blame at Time 1 predicted greater partner psychological distress at Time 2, as did "wishful thinking" at Time 2. Discussion: Psychosocial interventions designed to promote adaptive coping in couples facing PCA warrant systematic study. (Psychosomatics 2009; 50: 375-382)

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The psychological aftermath of prostate cancer treatment choices : A comparison of depression, anxiety and quality of life outcomes over the 12 months following diagnosis

- Couper, Jeremy, Love, Anthony, Dunai, Judy, Duchesne, G. M., Bloch, Sidney, Costello, Anthony, Kissane, David

Authors: Couper, Jeremy , Love, Anthony , Dunai, Judy , Duchesne, G. M. , Bloch, Sidney , Costello, Anthony , Kissane, David
Date: 2009
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Medical Journal of Australia Vol. 190, no. 7 SUPPL. (2009), p. S86-S89
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Description: Objective: To assess the psychological impact of the different treatments for localised prostate cancer (PCA). Design, participants and setting: Observational, prospective study of consecutive patients with PCA attending clinics in public hospitals and private practices in metropolitan Melbourne between 1 April 2001 and 30 December 2005. Data were collected at initial diagnosis of histologically confirmed localised PCA, and close to the commencement of definitive treatment (Time 1), and 12 months later (Time 2). Patients were stratified according to treatment type (radical prostatectomy [RP], hormone therapy [HT] or other early treatment including radiation therapies [OET]). Patients who elected to undergo active surveillance/ watchful waiting (WW) rather than active treatment were treated as a naturalistic control group. Main outcome measures: Levels of depression and anxiety were assessed by the Brief Symptom Inventory, and physical and psychosocial aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were assessed by the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. Results: 211 patients with PCA were recruited; 193 completed the Time 1 questionnaires (38 RP, 56 HT, 38 OET and 61 WW); and 172 completed the Time 2 questionnaires (33 RP, 51 HT, 33 OET and 55 WW). At Time 1, the three active treatment groups all reported greater dysfunction in work role and daily activities compared with the WW group. The RP group also reported worse social and emotional role functioning, while the HT and OET groups reported poorer vitality levels. The HT group reported significantly higher depression scores. At Time 2, the RP and OET groups did not differ from the WW group on either HRQOL or psychological status. By contrast, the HT group reported significantly worse HRQOL (physical functioning, role-physical and vitality domains) and greater psychological distress compared with the WW group. Conclusions: Compared with the other active treatments for localised PCA, HT appears to be associated with poorer HRQOL and greater psychological distress 12 months after commencing treatment.

Psychological morbidity and quality of life in women with advanced breast cancer : A cross-sectional survey

- Grabsch, Brenda, Clarke, David, Love, Anthony, McKenzie, Dean, Snyder, Raymond, Bloch, Sidney, Smith, Graeme, Kissane, David

Authors: Grabsch, Brenda , Clarke, David , Love, Anthony , McKenzie, Dean , Snyder, Raymond , Bloch, Sidney , Smith, Graeme , Kissane, David
Date: 2006
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Palliative & Supportive Care Vol. 4, no. 1 (2006), p. 47-56
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Description: Objective: Our purpose was to determine the frequency of psychiatric morbidity and to assess the quality of life of women with advanced breast cancer. Methods: The 227 women in the sample were recruited in Melbourne, Australia, and were interviewed (prior to intervention) for a randomized controlled trial of supportive-expressive group therapy. The main outcome measures were DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses plus quality of life data based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 (core) and QLQ-BR23 (breast module) instruments. Results: Forty-two percent of the women (97/227) had a psychiatric disorder; 35.7% (81) of these had depression or anxiety or both. Specific diagnoses were minor depression in 58 women (25.6%), major depression in 16 (7%), anxiety disorder in 14 (6.2%), and phobic disorder in 9 (4%). Seventeen (7.5%) women had more than one disorder. In terms of quality of life, one-third felt less attractive, one-quarter were dissatisfied with their body image, and, in most, sexual interest had waned. Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes affected less than one-third, whereas symptoms of lymphedema were experienced by 26 (11.5%). Significance: Women with advanced breast cancer have high rates of psychiatric and psychological disturbance. Quality of life is substantially affected. Clinicians need to be vigilant in monitoring psychological adjustment as part of a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach.
Description: 2003007264

Psychosocial adjustment in newly diagnosed prostate cancer

- Love, Anthony, Scealy, Marita, Bloch, Sidney, Duchesne, Gillian, Couper, Jeremy, MacVean, Michelle, Costello, Anthony, Kissane, David

Authors: Love, Anthony , Scealy, Marita , Bloch, Sidney , Duchesne, Gillian , Couper, Jeremy , MacVean, Michelle , Costello, Anthony , Kissane, David
Date: 2008
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 42, no. 5 (2008), p. 423-429
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Description: Objective: To examine the psychological and social adjustment of men with early or advanced stage prostate cancer and to compare them with a matched group of cancer-free community volunteers. Methods: A longitudinal observational study in which 367 men recently diagnosed with early (n =211) or advanced stage (n = 156), prostate cancer were compared to 169 cancer-free men from the community, of similar age and residential area, using self-report measures of psychosocial adjustment. Results: On the mental health subscales of the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey, men with advanced disease had lower vitality and social functioning than the other two groups, and lower mental health scores than the comparison group. Both patient groups had lower role-emotional scores than the comparison group. With regard to the Brief Symptom Inventory, the advanced disease group had higher somatization scores, and lower interpersonal sensitivity and paranoid ideation scores than the early stage group and the community comparison group. In terms of psychiatric morbidity, there were higher rates of anxiety disorders but not depressive disorders in both patient groups although overall diagnosis rates were low. No differences were found in terms of couple or family functioning. Conclusions: There is impairment in psychosocial function in men with prostate cancer, particularly those with advanced disease, but no increase in the rate of formal psychiatric disorder or adverse effects on the couples and families. This suggests directions for psychosocial interventions with these patient groups

Predictors of psychosocial distress 12 months after diagnosis with early and advanced prostate cancer

- Couper, Jeremy, Love, Anthony, Duchesne, Gillian, Bloch, Sidney, MacVean, Michelle, Dunai, Judy, Scealy, Marita, Costello, Anthony, Kissane, David

Authors: Couper, Jeremy , Love, Anthony , Duchesne, Gillian , Bloch, Sidney , MacVean, Michelle , Dunai, Judy , Scealy, Marita , Costello, Anthony , Kissane, David
Date: 2010
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Medical Journal of Australia Vol. 193, no. 5 (2010), p. S58-S61
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Description: Objective: To assess psychosocial distress in patients with early (localised) and advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer (PCA) at diagnosis (Time 1) and 12 months later (Time 2), and identify psychosocial factors predictive of later distress. Design, participants and setting: Observational, prospective study of 367 men with early (211) or advanced (156) PCA recruited as consecutive attendees at clinics at seven public hospitals and practices in metropolitan Melbourne between 1 April 2001 and 30 December 2005. Both groups completed questionnaires at Time 1 and Time 2. Main outcome measures: Health-related quality of life as assessed by the Short Form 36-item Health Survey; psychological distress, including depression and anxiety as assessed by the Brief Symptom Inventory; and coping patterns as assessed by the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale. Results: Over the 12 months, both the early and advanced RCA group showed reduced vitality and increased depression and anxiety; this effect was greater in the advanced PCA group. Mental health, social functioning and role-emotional functioning also deteriorated in the advanced group. Predictors of depression at Time 2 for the early PCA group were depression, vitality and a fatalistic coping pattern at Time 1; anxiety at Time 2 was predicted by anxiety and vitality at Time 1. In the advanced PCA group, depression at Time 2 was predicted by depression and mental health at Time 1; anxiety at Time 2 was predicted by anxiety, mental health, cognitive avoidance and lower anxious preoccupation at Time 1. Conclusions: Men with early PCA experience decreasing vitality and increasing psychological distress over the 12 months following diagnosis; this trend is accelerated after diagnosis with advanced RCA. A fatalistic coping pattern at diagnosis of early PCA predicts later depression while cognitive avoidance and lower anxious preoccupation at diagnosis of advanced PCA predict later anxiety.

Effect of cognitive-existential group therapy on survival in early-stage breast cancer

- Kissane, David, Love, Anthony, Hatton, Allison, Bloch, Sidney, Smith, Graeme, Clarke, David, Miach, Patricia, Ikin, Jillian, Ranieri, Nadia, Snyder, Raymond

Authors: Kissane, David , Love, Anthony , Hatton, Allison , Bloch, Sidney , Smith, Graeme , Clarke, David , Miach, Patricia , Ikin, Jillian , Ranieri, Nadia , Snyder, Raymond
Date: 2004
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Journal of Clinical Oncology Vol. 22, no. 21 (2004), p. 4255-4260
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Description: PURPOSE: Cognitive-existential group therapy (CEGT) was developed to improve mood and mental attitude toward cancer in women with early-stage breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Given the debate about group therapy's association with increased survival in women with metastatic breast cancer, we were curious to check its effect at a much earlier stage in the cancer journey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 303 women with early-stage breast cancer who were receiving adjuvant chemotherapy to either 20 sessions of weekly group therapy plus three relaxation classes (n = 154) or to a control condition of three relaxation classes alone (n = 149). The primary outcome was survival. RESULTS: CEGT did not extend survival; the median survival time was 81.9 months (95% CI, 64.8 to 99.0 months) in the group-therapy women and 85.5 months (95% CI, 67.5 to 103.6 months) in the control arm. The hazard ratio for death was 1.35 (95% CI, 0.76 to 2.39; P = .31). In contrast, histology and axillary lymph node status were significant predictors of survival. Low-grade histology yielded a hazard ratio of 0.342 (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.69), and axillary lymph node-negative status yielded a hazard ratio of 0.397 (95% CI, 0.20 to 0.78). CONCLUSION: CEGT does not prolong survival in women with early-stage breast cancer.
Description: 2003007270

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