Supportive-expressive group therapy: The transformation of existential ambivalence into creative living while enhancing adherence to anti-cancer therapies
Author
Kissane, DW; Grabsch, B; Clarke, DM; Christie, G; Clifton, D; Gold, S; Hill, C; Morgan, A; McDermott, F; Smith, GCDate
2004-11-01Source Title
PSYCHO-ONCOLOGYPublisher
JOHN WILEY & SONS LTDUniversity of Melbourne Author/s
Grabsch, Brenda; MCDERMOTT, FIONA; HILL, CHRISTINE; MORGAN, ANN; GOLD, STANLEY SAMUEL; Kissane, DavidAffiliation
PsychiatryMetadata
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Journal ArticleCitations
Kissane, D. W., Grabsch, B., Clarke, D. M., Christie, G., Clifton, D., Gold, S., Hill, C., Morgan, A., McDermott, F. & Smith, G. C. (2004). Supportive-expressive group therapy: The transformation of existential ambivalence into creative living while enhancing adherence to anti-cancer therapies. PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, 13 (11), pp.755-768. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.798.Access Status
This item is currently not available from this repositoryDOI
10.1002/pon.798Description
C1 - Journal Articles Refereed
Abstract
Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy (SEGT) has been developed and manualised in the research setting, but there have been few clinical accounts of its utility. In this qualitative review of its application in the Melbourne-based randomised control trial (RCT) for women with advanced breast cancer, SEGT is considered from the perspective of the structure and framework of therapy, its therapists, the issues that develop in exploring its common themes and what constitutes a well functioning group. Groups move through identifiable developmental phases. The mature group process transforms existential ambivalence into creative living, evidenced by humour, celebration, assertiveness, altruism, new creative pursuits and eventually courageous acceptance of dying. Challenges and pitfalls include avoidance, non-containment of ambivalence, intolerance of difference, anti-group phenomena and splitting. A key element is the medicalization of the group culture whereby members and co-therapists explore health beliefs and attitudes about care. This promotes compliance with anti-cancer treatments, including both the initiation of and perseverance with chemotherapy. This mechanism could prove to be a potentially important pathway in promoting longer survival.
Keywords
Oncology and Carcinogenesis; Psychiatry ; Health and Support Services not elsewhere classifiedExport Reference in RIS Format
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