Investigating Alexithymia among Women with and Without Thyroid Cancer in Isfahan
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Background: The current study aimed to investigate and compare alexithymia in women with thyroid cancer and women without thyroid cancer in Isfahan, Iran.
Methods: The study population included all patients with thyroid cancer and those without cancer who were referred to Sayedalshohda Hospital in the city of Isfahan. Through convenience sampling, 25 women with thyroid cancer and 25 women without thyroid cancer were selected. The tool used for data collection was the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) (Taylor, 1986). The collected data were analyzed both descriptively - computing the mean and standard deviation - and inferentially - computing analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) - to investigate alexithymia in women with and without thyroid cancer.
Results: The results showed a significant difference between the variables of alexithymia in the two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Regarding the problems caused by cancer, it is suggested that there is a need for educating and giving consultations to patients with cancer in order for them to identify and express negative emotions, diminish their problems, and increase their ability to cope with thyroid cancer.
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