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Changes in marital and sexual functioning in long‐term survivors and their spouses: Testicular cancer versus hodgkin's disease
Author(s) -
Hannah Mo Therese,
Gritz Ellen R.,
Wellisch David K.,
Fobair Pat,
Hoppe Richard T.,
Bloom Joan R.,
Sun GuoWen,
Varghese Anna,
Cosgrove Malcolm D.,
Spiegel David
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.2960010206
Subject(s) - spouse , disease , sexual functioning , clinical psychology , psychology , psychological intervention , sexual dysfunction , cancer , medicine , developmental psychology , psychiatry , sociology , anthropology
This study compares the effects of the cancer experience on various aspects of marital and sexual functioning (e.g., communication, emotional support, body image, sexual satisfaction and frequency) for two groups of long‐term cancer survivors (testicular cancer and Hodgkin's disease) and their spouses. Comparisons between the two patient groups showed significantly more survivors of Hodgkin's disease than testicular cancer reporting the emergence of special issues and changes in the marital relationship. No differences emerged between the spouse groups on sexual functioning variables; however, spouses of survivors of Hodgkin's disease were more likely than spouses of survivors of testicular cancer to report the development of special issues and communication difficulties. A substantial proportion of both survivor groups disclosed negative changes in body image and sexual frequency. Majorities of both survivors and spouses acknowledged that the illness had drawn them closer together. When representative marital/sexual functioning variables were used to predict Family Environment Scale (FES) scores for survivors and for spouses, changes in the spouse's importance, influence of the illness on the relationship, and changes in sexual frequency emerged as significant predictors. The clinical significance of long‐term changes in marital and sexual functioning for the couple and the need for therapeutic interventions are discussed.