A study of the effects of a cancer support group program on the feelings of depression and self-esteem among cancer patients, 1988

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a group program on the feelings of depression and selfesteem among cancer patients/ and to evaluate the cancer patients' feelings about the group program. The following areas among cancer patients were addressed: (1) support groups/ (2) depression/ and (3) self-esteem. Using a static group comparison/ a survey questionnaire was administered to 12 females receiving cancer treatment from Grady Memorial Hospital/ Atlanta/ Georgia. Six participated in the cancer support group program (the experimental group)/ and 6 did not participate in the support group (the comparison group) . The study found (1) no significant difference depression between the two groups/ (2) a significant difference in self-esteem between the two groups/ and (3) participants in the support group rated the group program helpful