Relevance of problem-solving therapy to psychosocial oncology

Problem-solving therapy is a cognitive-behavioral intervention that has bee n found to be effective in the treatment of a variety of mental health prob lems, especially depression, The relevance of this therapy for cancer patie nts is addressed and is placed within the context of a problem-solving mode l of stress. This model argues that the likelihood that cancer patients wil l experience significant and long-lasting emotional difficulties and psycho logical distress is partially a function of their problem-solving abilities . Research supports this model not only in general but also for cancer pati ents in particular, A large-scale outcome study is currently underway to ev aluate the efficacy of problem-solving therapy with adult cancer patients.