Malignancy, masculinities, and psychological distress: Comparisons made between men with testicular cancer and healthy controls
Details
Publication Year 2024-01,Volume 33,Issue #1,Page e6262
Journal Title
Psycho-Oncology
Publication Type
Research article
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Psychological distress is common in men with testicular cancer (TC), and masculinities may work to explain this. This study aimed to compare masculinities and distress in TC and healthy control (HC) populations and explore relationships between correlates of distress (psychological flexibility and coping style) and masculinities in TC. METHODS: A cross-sectional, online survey was completed by 92 men with TC (M(age)  = 34.8) and 90 HC (M(age)  = 30.7). Measures included psychological distress (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression/Anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence inventory-short form), masculinities (gender role conflict-short form, inventory of subjective masculinity experiences/subjective masculinity stress scale, masculinity in chronic disease inventory), coping style (mini-mental adjustment to cancer ) and psychological flexibility (comprehensive assessment of acceptance commitment therapy). Linear regressions were conducted to compare groups and analyse associations. RESULTS: There were no differences in masculinities or psychological distress between populations (all p > 0.05 and all Cohen's d < 0.20), except for subjective masculine stress and restrictive affectionate behaviour between men. For men with TC, restrictive affection/emotion, conflicts between family/work and subjective masculine stress were associated with psychological distress (rs 0.21-0.58). Optimistic action was negatively associated with depression/anxiety, helplessness/hopelessness coping (rs -0.27 to -0.42) and positively associated with psychological flexibility (r = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Masculinities are implicated in psychological distress in men with TC. Psychological flexibility as well as leveraging masculine beliefs (e.g., optimistic action) may be modifiable targets to reduce distress in men with TC.
Publisher
Wiley
Keywords
Male; Humans; Adult; Masculinity; *Testicular Neoplasms/psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; *Psychological Distress; *Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; cancer; oncology; orchiectomy; psycho-oncology; psychology; survivorship; testicular cancer; testicular neoplasm
Department(s)
Psychosocial Oncology; Medical Oncology
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