ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF A PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM GROUP ON QUALITY OF LIFE OF ONCOLOGY PATIENTS

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a program of group psychological intervention on coping and quality of life of cancer patients. Quasi-experimental design, with pre-intervention-post tests was employed. The sample consisted of 27 participants with a medical diagnosis of cancer, non-metastatic at first treatment phase, 65% women and 35% men, with an age range of 28-73 years and a mean of 51 years (DT 11,6). The FACT-G Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General quality of life (Cella & Tulsky, 1993) questionnaire was administered to assess the quality of life, and the MAC Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Ferrero, Barreto y Toledo, 1994) to assess coping. The size of the intervention program effect (eta 2) was moderate. The results indicated a positive effect of the program on quality of life (F= 22,60, p < 0,01) and helplessness (F= 5.34, p = 0.01), fatalism (F= 8,06 p = 0,02), fighting spirit (F= 6,15, p = 0,01), anxious preoccupation (F= 6,44, p < 0.01) and denial of illness (F= 79, 10, p < 0,01).