Effects of a Psychosocial Skills Training Package on Optimism in Patients with Breast and Colon Cancer: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background and Objective: Cancer diagnosis poses significant psychological challenges, often diminishing patients' optimism, a key predictor of treatment adherence and quality of life. While psychological interventions have shown promising results in improving optimism among cancer patients, most studies have focused on single-component approaches (e.g., cognitive restructuring or social support alone). Theoretical frameworks such as the biopsychosocial model suggest that integrating both psychological and social skills may yield more comprehensive benefits; however, this integrative approach remains underexplored in Iranian psycho-oncology settings. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effects of a researcher-developed psychosocial skills training package on optimism in patients with breast and colon cancer. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test/post-test design with control group and two-month follow-up. Thirty patients with breast and colon cancer and low optimism scores (<۱۵) were recruited via purposive sampling based on eligibility criteria; then, randomly allocated to experimental or control groups (n=۱۵ each) using block randomization. The experimental group received an eight-session, researcher-developed psychosocial skills training package (۴۵ min/session), while controls received usual care. Optimism was measured using the Scheier & Carver’s Life Orientation Test. Data were analyzed using mixed repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS software (version ۲۷). Results: The mixed repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant Group × Time interaction effect for optimism after Greenhouse-Geisser correction: F (۱.۶۴۴, ۴۱.۱) = ۱۴.۹۹۶, p < ۰.۰۰۱, partial η= ۰.۲۸. According to Cohen's conventions, this represents a large effect size, indicating that the psychosocial skills training package substantially improved optimism in the experimental group relative to controls. Conclusions: The psychosocial skills training package demonstrated a statistically significant and large effect on optimism in patients with breast and colon cancer. However, given the pilot nature of this quasi-experimental study with a small, single-site sample, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence. Future large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy and establish clinical guidelines before broader implementation can be recommended.

کلیدواژه ها:

Breast Neoplasms ، Colonic Neoplasms ، Optimism ، Psychosocial Intervention