Abstract
This study compared the experiences of 39 self-identified lesbians and 39 heterosexual women who had recently been treated for breast cancer. They were matched by age, stage of disease, time since diagnosis, and ethnicity. Data were collected by a questionnaire completed at home and returned by mail. Variables assessed included emotional adjustment, thought intrusion and avoidance, perceived quality of life, concerns about breast cancer, benefit finding, relationship and sexual disruption, psychosexual adjustment, social support, and coping. Compared to the heterosexual women, lesbians reported less thought avoidance, lower levels of sexual concern, less concern about their appearance, and less disruption in sexual activity, but also substantially lower perceptions of benefit from having had cancer. Lesbians reported less social connection to family, but no group difference emerged in connection to friends. Lesbians reported less denial coping, and more use of support from friends, more venting, and more positive reframing. Better understanding of the similarities and differences between groups will help address the relevant clinical issues appropriately, in order to optimize psychosocial adjustment to breast cancer.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 81-102 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Women and Health |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1 2006 |
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Keywords
- Benefit finding
- Breast cancer
- Coping
- Lesbian
- Psychosexual
- Social support
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Gender Studies
Cite this
Psychosocial responses to treatment for breast cancer among lesbian and heterosexual women. / Arena, Patricia L.; Carver, Charles S; Antoni, Michael H; Weiss, Sharlene; Ironson, Gail; Durán, Ron E.
In: Women and Health, Vol. 44, No. 2, 01.12.2006, p. 81-102.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychosocial responses to treatment for breast cancer among lesbian and heterosexual women
AU - Arena, Patricia L.
AU - Carver, Charles S
AU - Antoni, Michael H
AU - Weiss, Sharlene
AU - Ironson, Gail
AU - Durán, Ron E.
PY - 2006/12/1
Y1 - 2006/12/1
N2 - This study compared the experiences of 39 self-identified lesbians and 39 heterosexual women who had recently been treated for breast cancer. They were matched by age, stage of disease, time since diagnosis, and ethnicity. Data were collected by a questionnaire completed at home and returned by mail. Variables assessed included emotional adjustment, thought intrusion and avoidance, perceived quality of life, concerns about breast cancer, benefit finding, relationship and sexual disruption, psychosexual adjustment, social support, and coping. Compared to the heterosexual women, lesbians reported less thought avoidance, lower levels of sexual concern, less concern about their appearance, and less disruption in sexual activity, but also substantially lower perceptions of benefit from having had cancer. Lesbians reported less social connection to family, but no group difference emerged in connection to friends. Lesbians reported less denial coping, and more use of support from friends, more venting, and more positive reframing. Better understanding of the similarities and differences between groups will help address the relevant clinical issues appropriately, in order to optimize psychosocial adjustment to breast cancer.
AB - This study compared the experiences of 39 self-identified lesbians and 39 heterosexual women who had recently been treated for breast cancer. They were matched by age, stage of disease, time since diagnosis, and ethnicity. Data were collected by a questionnaire completed at home and returned by mail. Variables assessed included emotional adjustment, thought intrusion and avoidance, perceived quality of life, concerns about breast cancer, benefit finding, relationship and sexual disruption, psychosexual adjustment, social support, and coping. Compared to the heterosexual women, lesbians reported less thought avoidance, lower levels of sexual concern, less concern about their appearance, and less disruption in sexual activity, but also substantially lower perceptions of benefit from having had cancer. Lesbians reported less social connection to family, but no group difference emerged in connection to friends. Lesbians reported less denial coping, and more use of support from friends, more venting, and more positive reframing. Better understanding of the similarities and differences between groups will help address the relevant clinical issues appropriately, in order to optimize psychosocial adjustment to breast cancer.
KW - Benefit finding
KW - Breast cancer
KW - Coping
KW - Lesbian
KW - Psychosexual
KW - Social support
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33846693708&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33846693708&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1300/J013v44n02_05
DO - 10.1300/J013v44n02_05
M3 - Article
C2 - 17255060
AN - SCOPUS:33846693708
VL - 44
SP - 81
EP - 102
JO - Women and Health
JF - Women and Health
SN - 0363-0242
IS - 2
ER -