| Abstract: | Describes a theory-driven psychosocial intervention that was designed to teach coping flexibility to people with chronic illness. This 8-wk coping skills group addresses dealing with feelings and images about the illness, teaching new methods of setting goals, developing strategies to compensate for cognitive deficits, and improving communication with caregivers. Groups ranged from 4 to 9 patients, plus support people. Qualitative impressions gleaned from group participants and some of their physicians suggest that the group intervention has been effective in alleviating some psychological and physical problems. The methodological process and human factors of import to the delivery of this intervention are discussed, emphasizing the nonspecific therapeutic factors that may interact with intervention content to affect participants' quality of life. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
