Time-limited thematic group with post-mastectomy patients.

Twenty-four post-mastectomy women participated in thematic time-limited groups. About half of the women reported that the groups helped them a lot, and in these women a significant decrease in psychological distress, especially anxiety and depression, was found. In the few who reported they were not helped, an increase in psychological distress was found, especially in hostility. The main concerns of the post-mastectomy women are described, as well as the need to develop predictors about who can benefit from time-limited groups. The preliminary data seems to indicate that patients became less prone to improvement with time (after the operation) and that patients who have the wish to share their experience with others do especially well in groups.