PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT AND SEXUAL FUNCTION IN FEMALE SURVIVORS OF HODGKIN'S DISEASE.

Abstract

This study examined differences in psychosocial adjustment and sexual function between female survivors of Hodgkin's disease and a control group of recently diagnosed but untreated cancer patients. The Hodgkin's disease survivors were assigned to one of two groups depending on whether they had retained ovarian functioning following their cancer therapy. Differences among the three groups were examined on variables consisting of the principal components derived from scores on the: Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI); Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI); and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS). These variables included: DSFI (General background and sexual functioning, Attitudes and feelings, and Information and Drive); BSI (General distress, and Somatic anxiety); and PAIS (General social functioning, and Health care orientation). No statistically significant differences in psychosocial adjustment and sexual function were found among the three groups. Additional analyses suggested that women who required therapeutic abortions to terminate pregnancies (existing at their diagnosis or occurring while they were receiving cancer treatment) had greater problems in psychosocial adjustment and sexual function than those who did not require abortions.