Peer group membership of young women with cancer

Abstract

Described here is the influence of peer group membership on the adaptive behavior of 100 women hospitalized with gestational trophoblastic disease. Little attempt was made to screen these patients from reality. They went where they wanted and saw what they wanted with few barriers. They were deliberately educated about their disease to insure their participation in its treatment. Although such an approach led in the long run to confidence in staff and cooperation in treatment, it was nevertheless at first shocking and overwhelming. Individual casework treatment was necessary especially when The Group was threatened by an individual's anxiety or an individual was threatened by The Group's anxiety. While The Group served as a supportive device and functioned well in reducing day by day stresses, it was not a problem-solving device and had to relinquish responsibility when treatment was needed. The support of The Group was consciously encouraged and utilized when it served as an added strength for the patient. The Group's limitations were recognized and its actions supplemented when necessary.