Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify reactions and adjustments to the altered body image following radical mastectomy. It was felt that nurses could be of more assistance to women facing this experience if they knew and understood the common reactions which occur.

Other studies have indicated that major areas of adjustment focus upon dress and appearance. Sexual and social relationships, and curiosity of others. The disruption of a body image makes necessary certain adjustments in the individual's perceptions of himself.

The method of research in this study was descriptive survey with the use of partially structured interviews. Thirty-five women who had had radical mastectomies in 1964 were interviewed, and these data were analyzed with the help of data processing machines.

It was found that 71 percent of the women felt shock and other negative reactions when they learned the extent of surgery, and 63 per cent when they saw the incision for the first time. About half of the women in this study hid the incision from their husbands and other family members. Although the husbands did not find the experience of seeing the incision a pleasant one, the wives, in general, felt accepted in their close relationships. Approximately half of the women were found to have moods of depression. The majority (91 percent) participated in social activities, but a small number did feel very self-conscious when in the presence of others.

Age and breast size were not significant factors in adjustment to this altered body state. It was concluded that initial reactions were apt to be negative, both by the wife and her husband. Women did not always know how their husbands felt or reacted to them. Social activities and close relationships were not changed because of having had a radical mastectomy. Phantom sensations and a consciousness that the breast was missing were experienced by one-third. Married women showed changes in their perceptions of their deformity by experiencing a greater incidence of depression and in securing prostheses more frequently than those who were single, widowed or divorced. The grief over the loss of the valued body part seemed to be resolved more fully as time passed.

LLU Discipline

Nursing

Department

Nursing

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Lucile Lewis

Second Advisor

Charleene Riffel

Third Advisor

Clarence Carnahan

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1965

Date (Title Page)

6-1965

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Mastectomy; Body Image

Type

Thesis

Page Count

ix; 85

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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