PERCEPTIONS OF SEXUALITY IN WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD MASTECTOMIES VERSUS WOMEN WHO HAVE NOT HAD BREAST CANCER (BODY IMAGE, SELF-ESTEEM).
Contributors: University of Florida.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 109
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.; Psychology, Clinical.; Psychology, Social.
Description: The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in women's perceptions of their sexuality between those who have undergone mastectomy and those who have not had breast cancer. The Heromin-Walker Stressor and Sexuality Model was developed to serve as an organizing framework for this study. In this survey research, comparison groups were used. The sample consisted of 50 women who have had mastectomies and 60 women who have not had breast cancer. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Body Esteem Scale, the Heterosexual Behavior Assessment, the Locke-Wallace Marriage Inventory, and the Marlowe-Crown Social Desirability Scale were self-administered and returned by mail. Descriptive and inferential statistics using the Student's t-test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis including stepwise logistic regression were employed to analyze the data.

The description of the demographic characteristics of the sample revealed that there was no significant difference in age, number of children, race, or religion between the subjects in the mastectomy group and the group of women without breast cancer. The mean educational level of the subjects in the mastectomy group was significantly different from the mean educational level of subjects in the group of women without breast cancer (t = 2.599, p = 0.0107). Perceptions of sexuality in women who have undergone a mastectomy were described. The total score for the subjects in the mastectomy group was 276.82 of a 405 total score. A comparison of perceptions of sexuality in women who have had breast cancer versus women who have not had breast cancer was presented. The mean score of sexuality for the group of women without breast cancer was 280.13. The results showed there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the variables of self-esteem, body image, sexual behavior, and relationship with a partner (chi-square = 9.942, df = 1, p = 0.0109).

Individuals with coping resources adapt more readily to the impact of an illness such as breast cancer. Coping resources such as social support, individual abilities and skills, knowledge, and spiritual beliefs were evident in this sample. Nurses can be instrumental in assisting women regarding coping strategies.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-11, Section: B, page: 6034.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, 1995.

School code: 0070.