Effectiveness of a structured psychoeducational intervention for gynecologic cancer patients: A randomized controlled study

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a structured psychoeducational program on illness perception, coping skills, psychological adjustment, and emotional distress in women diagnosed with gynecological cancer. A total of 49 patients with stage I–III gynecological cancer were randomly assigned to either the psychoeducation intervention group (n=22) or the control group receiving standard oncological care (n=27). The six-week group-based intervention was adapted from the Fawzy and Fawzy model and included cancer education, stress management, cognitive restructuring, emotional expression, and coping skills training. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using validated Turkish versions of the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale, Profile of Mood States, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Stress Coping Styles Inventory. Non-parametric statistical analyses were employed. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in fighting spirit, problem solving, seeking social support, personal control, illness coherence, and mood, as well as significant reductions in helplessness, anxious preoccupation, avoidance coping, fatalism, anxiety, depression, emotional distress, and negative illness perceptions (all p<.05), with medium-to-large effect sizes. No significant changes were observed in the control group. The structured psychoeducational intervention effectively enhances psychological adjustment, reduces distress, and promotes adaptive coping and illness perceptions, suggesting its integration into routine oncology care may improve psychosocial outcomes.