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, 5 0 years earlier, had experienced the extreme trauma of the Holocaust. A total of 45 patients in follow-up the Outpatient Clinic of the Oncol ogy Department at the Hadassah University Hospital were approached. Tw o self-reports were administered: the Brief Symptom Inventory to asses s psychological distress, and the Impact of Events Scale to assess int rusion and avoidance. Results: There was a significant decrease in dis tress by the specific short-term psychological intervention used in th is traumatized population. However, 3 months later the improvement vir tually disappeared. Conclusion: This study failed to demonstrate a lon g-lasting effect of behavioral intervention upon Holocaust survivors w ith cancer.