Renegotiating sexuality and intimacy in the context of cancer: the experiences of carers.
نویسندگان
چکیده
There is a growing body of evidence to show that cancer can result in dramatic changes in sexuality, sexual functioning, and intimate couple relationships, with significant implications for both quality of life and psychological well-being. However, the experiences of intimate partners are often neglected in research on sexuality and intimacy in the context of cancer. This study used a material-discursive framework and a qualitative methodology to investigate the ways in which intimacy and sexuality are renegotiated in the context of cancer, and what factors are associated with successful or unsuccessful renegotiation, from the perspective of partners caring for a person with cancer. Twenty participants were interviewed, across a range of cancer types, stages, and age groups. Eleven participants reported that they were unable to negotiate other ways of being sexually intimate when penetrative sexual intercourse was no longer physiologically possible or desirable. Nine were able to renegotiate sexual intimacy in the context of cancer to include practices previously positioned as secondary to "real sex," such as mutual masturbation, self masturbation, manual stimulation, oral sex, massage, the use of vibrators, kissing, and hugging. Grounded theory analysis identified two themes associated with renegotiation: "Alternative" sexual practices-redefining sexual intimacy, and couple communication and relationship context. Difficulties in renegotiation were associated with adherence to the coital imperative, sexual relationship or communication problems which existed prior to cancer, and the positioning of the person with cancer as a child or an asexual sick patient rather than a sexual partner. The implications for health professional intervention to ameliorate changes to sexuality in the context of cancer are discussed.
منابع مشابه
Renegotiating sexual intimacy in the context of altered embodiment: the experiences of women with breast cancer and their male partners following mastectomy and reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE Breast cancer diagnosis and treatments can have a profound impact upon women's well-being, body image, and sexual functioning, but less is known about the relational context of their coping and the impact upon their intimate partners. Our study focuses upon couples' experiences of breast cancer surgery, and its impact on body image and sexual intimacy. METHOD Utilizing a dyadic desi...
متن کاملبررسی رابطه بین صمیمیت و میل‌جنسی با نشانه‌های افسردگی و رضایت زناشویی در زنان 3ماه تا 2 سال پس از زایمان
Abstract Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sexual desire, and intimacy with the depression symptoms and marital satisfaction in 3 month- 2 year postpartum women in Mahshahr. Methods In this correlational cross-sectional study, 107 women participated who referred to health centers of Mahshahr (Iran) with their babies aged three months to two years. The ...
متن کاملSexuality and intimacy issues facing women with breast cancer.
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore the sexuality and intimacy experiences facing women with breast cancer. DATA SOURCES Published articles; OVID, PsycINFO, and Florida Atlantic University databases; Web sites; and books. DATA SYNTHESIS Patient perceptions and knowledge of mastectomy and chemotherapy-induced menopause in regard to lifelong sexual experiences are lacking. Healthcare providers must...
متن کاملبررسی وضعیت بیماران اسکیزوفرنیک مزمن و مراقبان آنها پس از ترخیص از بیمارستان
ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to depict the condition of chronic schizophrenic patients and their carers after discharge regarding functions and quality of life of patients as well as carers burden. To this end a series of questionairs including family experiences interview scale (FEIS), Morningside rehabilitation status scale (MRSS) and Wisconsin quality of life (WQL) we...
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ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Archives of sexual behavior
دوره 39 4 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2010