The effect of behavioral intervention on the psychological distress of Holocaust survivors with cancer.

METHODS

This study describes a particular psychological intervention offered to a unique self-selected population of cancer patients who, 50 years earlier, had experienced the extreme trauma of the Holocaust. A total of 45 patients in follow-up at the Outpatient Clinic of the Oncology Department at the Hadassah University Hospital were approached. Two self-reports were administered: the Brief Symptom Inventory to assess psychological distress, and the Impact of Events Scale to assess intrusion and avoidance.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in distress by the specific short-term psychological intervention used in this traumatized population. However, 3 months later the improvement virtually disappeared.

CONCLUSION

This study failed to demonstrate a long-lasting effect of behavioral intervention upon Holocaust survivors with cancer.