Psychological adjustment among African American breast cancer patients: one-year follow-up results of a randomized psychoeducational group intervention

The effectiveness of support group interventions for cancer patients has been established among White patients but has been virtually unstudied among minority patients. The current study represents the 1st randomized support group intervention targeted to African American women with breast cancer. Participants (N = 73) with nonmetastatic breast cancer were randomly assigned to an 8-week group intervention or an assessment-only control condition. At 12 months, the intervention resultedin improved mood as well as improved general and cancer-specific psychological functioning among women with greater baseline distress or lower income. Subsequent research is needed to address effective methodsof enrolling and following women with fewer psychosocial and financial resources, as they were the most likely to benefit from this particular intervention. (Original abstract)