Mahdavi Abed, Jenaabadi Hossein, Sepehryeganeh Shahrbanoo, Gholamali Lavasani Masoud, Mansoureh Hajhosseini

Abstract

Background: Although cancer causes numerous psychological complications, it has recently been determined that psychological pressures have a profound effect on accelerating the progression and growth of various types of malignant tumors, without creating and generating them. The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of intensive short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy on reduced death anxiety, depression and feeling of loneliness among women with breast cancer. Method: The research method used was a single subject design with a case study with a two-month follow-up in women referred to health centers in Tehran. Of the women, 4 people, with psychological problems, who were volunteered for treatment, were selected through purposeful sampling. The purpose of this sampling method was to select people who were appropriate for the purpose of the study. These people participated in 12 sessions of treatment sessions. The participants participated in 12 treatment sessions. The treatment was carried out according to Davanloo’s intensive short-term pschodynamic psychotherapy. This therapeutic model focuses on clarifying and challenging the defences, experiencing the emotions, and solving intra-psychological conflicts. Templer Death Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Shortened version of the social and emotional loneliness scale for Adults scales were used in this study and data analysis was conducted using t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The findings of this study showed that after therapeutic intervention, the amount of death, depression and feelings of loneliness decreased. And, this status remained stable for two months after the end of the sessions, and none of them returned to the previous situation. Conclusions: Therefore, it can be concluded that the implementation of ISTDP has been effective in reducing the psychological problems of the patients‎.