Abstract he objective of the present study was to examine the psychological impact of a group-oriented approach to disease management and health behaviour in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Seventeen overweight PCOS women were randomised in a cross- over design of eight weeks high-intensity aerobic exer- cise followed by eight weeks of group counselling (n=8) or vice versa (n=9). Interpersonal communication, emotional and relational aspects were observed and analysed throughout the period focusing on changes in health behaviour. he most salient indings showed supportive relationships expressed as group cohe- sion, exchange of narratives of illness and of disorder- speciic aspects. Individual relationships between the participants were important for changes in behav- iour, especially those generating feedback from the other participants and reducing social isolation. he results were most encouraging in the group that had initial counselling sessions before the physical inter- vention. It can be concluded that group counselling sessions focusing on supportive relationships followed by high-intensity aerobic training have beneicial ef- fects on wellbeing, health and exercise behaviour. Keywords: group counselling; health behaviour; phys- ical activity; polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); so- cial support 1. Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of the repro- ductive age with a prevalence of 5–10 % (Glintborg and Andersen 2010). PCOS is characterised by the presence of polycystic ovaries, menstrual dysfunction, and hyperandrogenism and is associated with many health risks including abdominal obesity, hyperten- sion, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance (Dokras 2008). In PCOS, changes in appearance, particularly obesity and hirsutism, can reduce psychological wellbeing, while endocrine and metabolic param- eters as well as menstrual irregularities and infertil- ity appeared to be less important (Hahn et al. 2005). Women with PCOS are signiicantly more prone to anxiety, depression and low self-esteem (Barry et al. 2011). he challenges to feminine identity (e.g. hir- sutism, menstrual problems) have an impact on mood, relationships and psychological wellbeing (Teede et al. 2010). Low quality of life in PCOS may afect the patients’ desire and ability to exercise and change lifestyle (Glintborg and Andersen 2010). herefore, it is important to identify psychological and communi- cative aspects that are supportive for self-esteem and behavioural change. Studies on the efect of exercise training on PCOS show positive effects on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), weight, waist circumference (Brown et al. 2009; Giallauria et al. 2009) and depression (homsen et al. 2010). Exercise has in general shown an improve- ment of self-experienced quality of life both for non- clinical and clinical populations (Gorczynski and Faulkner 2010), and group interventions in particular often show positive psychological efects (Biddle and Mutrie 2008). Group treatments combining disorder- speciic and transfer-oriented aspects show positive results, and an intervention starting with a focus on the ability to communicate about disease might support the opportunity to express emotional distress and to develop positive relationships patterns, which can facilitate a long-term change of health behaviour (Nickel et al. 2010). Communication & Medicine Volume 9(2) (2012), 125–131 Copyright © Equinox Publishing Ltd Sheield http://equinoxpub.com DOI: 10.1558/cam.v9i2.125 Supportive relationships – Psychological effects of group counselling in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) KIRSTEN K. ROESSLER 1 , DORTE GLINTBORG 2 , PERNILLE RAVN 2 , CAMILLA BIRKEBAEK AND MARIANNE ANDERSEN 2 (1) University of Southern Denmark (2) Odense University Hospital , Denmark