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The use of psychotherapy with dying patients: An exploratory study
Author(s) -
Zuehlke Terry E.,
Watkins John T.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(197510)31:4<729::aid-jclp2270310439>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - psychology , psychotherapist , feeling , death anxiety , anxiety , expectancy theory , group psychotherapy , life expectancy , clinical psychology , exploratory research , psychiatry , medicine , social psychology , population , environmental health , sociology , anthropology
A group of terminally ill patients received six sessions of psychotherapy. A second group of six patients served as nontreated controls. At the conclusion of the treatment sessions, psychotherapy patients reported a significantly greater increase in death-related anxiety and in their perceived purpose in life than did the nontreated group. Clinical impressions indicated that patients who participated in psychotherapy perceived their treatment experience positively and appreciated the opportunity to explore their feelings about imminent death. These results offer considerable support for the usefulness of psychotherapy to help such patients cope with the emotional stress generated by their limited life expectancy.