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Body image, self-esteem, and sense of masculinity in patients with prostate cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesis
- Source :
- Journal of Cancer Survivorship. 16:95-110
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Purpose Body image, self-esteem, and masculinity are three interconnected constructs in men with prostate cancer, with profound effects on quality of life. This meta-synthesis aimed to evaluate all known qualitative studies published studying the effect of prostate cancer on these constructs. Methods A systematic review utilising PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases up to May 2020 was conducted in line with PRISMA and ENTREQ guidelines. All qualitative studies of men’s experiences with body image, self-esteem, and masculinity whilst living with prostate cancer were included. A thematic meta-synthesis was conducted to identify emergent descriptive and analytical themes under the main study constructs. Results Of 2188 articles identified, 68 were included. Eight descriptive themes were identified under two analytical themes: ‘Becoming a Prostate Cancer Patient’ and ‘Becoming a Prostate Cancer Survivor’. These described the distress caused by changes to body image, sexual functioning, sense of masculinity, and self-esteem, and the subsequent discourses men engaged with to cope with and manage their disease. A key element was increased flexibility in masculinity definitions, and finding other ways to re-affirm masculinity. Conclusions Prostate cancer has an important effect on men’s health post-diagnosis, and we identified strong relationships between each construct evaluated. The role of hegemonic masculinity is important when considering men’s coping mechanisms and is also a key factor when addressing these constructs in counselling post-treatment. Implications for Cancer Survivors This meta-synthesis provides key topics that uniquely affect prostate cancer survivors, enabling these patients to be effectively counselled, and have their concerns recognised by clinicians.
- Subjects :
- Male
media_common.quotation_subject
PsycINFO
03 medical and health sciences
Prostate cancer
0302 clinical medicine
Body Image
medicine
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Qualitative Research
media_common
Masculinity
Oncology (nursing)
business.industry
Self-esteem
Prostatic Neoplasms
medicine.disease
Self Concept
Distress
Oncology
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Quality of Life
Construct (philosophy)
business
Hegemonic masculinity
Clinical psychology
Qualitative research
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19322267 and 19322259
- Volume :
- 16
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Cancer Survivorship
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....2d79f5bfa15c4816646f22e9574934f8
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01007-9