Psychosocial Support Groups for Alleviating Loneliness and Enhancing Mood in Women With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial support groups are widely used in women with cancer. However, their effectiveness across various outcomes remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial support group interventions on loneliness, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and survival in women with cancer. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched on August 31, 2025. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. RESULTS: Fourteen studies (N = 2259) were included. The meta-analysis showed significant reductions in posttest loneliness (mean difference [MD] = -2.68, P <.002) and at follow-up (MD = -3.56, P <.0001). Mood states improved significantly posttest (MD = -8.46, P =.003) but not at follow-up. No significant effects were found on anxiety, depression, quality of life, or survival. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial support groups effectively address loneliness and transiently improve the emotional well-being of women with cancer. More targeted interventions are needed to achieve lasting psychological and quality-of-life outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR ONCOLOGY NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses should prioritize implementing psychosocial support groups to combat loneliness in women with cancer. Nurses should also explore strategies for maintaining long-term emotional benefits and address other psychological outcomes through tailored interventions.