["Traditional" vs. "modified" approach to research within the scope of psycho-oncologic studies. Theoretical considerations and initial results].

The paper points out two methods of research in the field of psychosomatic resp. psychooncologic research. The "traditional method" of an Inter-Group-Comparison is confronted with the "modificated method" of an Intra-Group-Comparison. The methodological advantage of taxonomic subgroups is demonstrated at a population of 60 breast cancer patients. Two homogeneous subgroups of the investigated population can be distinguished not only by contents criteria but also by means of a cluster-analysis. The prognostic importance of the psychodynamic profile within the different subgroups is discussed. In this context defense mechanisms are particularly relevant.