Sexual satisfaction and sexual distress after cancer: The role of body image disruption, self‐compassion, sexual pain and relationship satisfaction

Abstract

Objective To identify variables that correlate with sexual satisfaction and sexual distress among adult cancer survivors, and how these differ, providing a basis from which approaches to intervention may be identified. This study examined four key variables: body image disruption, self‐compassion, relationship satisfaction and sexual pain, previously all linked to sexual quality of life. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was conducted online, with participants (n = 113) recruited via cancer charities, support groups and sexual counsellors' networks. A multivariate multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyse relationships among variables. Results In a regression adjusted for age, sex and time since diagnosis, higher sexual distress was significantly associated with higher body image disruption (β = 0.23; p = 0.024), lower self‐compassion (β = −0.29; p = 0.009) and higher sexual pain (β = 0.39; p < 0.001); but not relationship satisfaction (β = −0.08; p = 0.434). Higher sexual satisfaction was significantly associated with higher relationship satisfaction (β = 0.35; p = 0.002) and lower sexual pain (β = −0.29; p = 0.005), but not body image disruption (β = −0.19; p = 0.089), or self‐compassion (β = 0.06; p = 0.614). Sexual pain had a significantly stronger association with sexual distress than sexual satisfaction; F (1, 84) = 18.29, p < 0.001. Conclusions Sexual distress and sexual satisfaction are associated with different psycho‐social correlates even though both are used as indicators of sexual health. Research should seek to further understand the differences in these two critical markers of sexual health, with these differences likely to highlight the need to match interventions to the nature of the sexual difficulties experienced following cancer treatment.

“Feeling It”: Links between elements of compassion and sexual well-being

“…It may be that in an immediate way, compassionate behaviors represent a potent balm for relationships, with forgiveness and gratitude (within the relationship context) prompting individuals be more introspective and connected to their partner, which in turn facilitates individual sexual behaviors and well-being. More than just alleviating distress ( Santerre-Baillargeon et al, 2018 ; Michael et al, 2021 ), compassionate behaviors provide targeted and supportive emotional and relational comfort to the self ( Germer, 2009 ), which then encourages an accepting sexual environment ( Leavitt et al, 2021e ).…”

“…Each relationally compassionate element discussed above can be connected to various aspects of sexual well-being. Though no research we know of has linked relational compassion and sexual well-being generally, some “sister” research has evaluated the role of self -compassion within circumstances of sexual distress and found that self-compassion is negatively associated with sexual distress, but not necessarily with sexual satisfaction ( Santerre-Baillargeon et al, 2018 ; Michael et al, 2021 ). Other studies found positive links between mindfulness and sexual well-being ( Leavitt et al, 2021c ) and compassion and to higher relationship quality generally ( McDonald et al, 2020 ).…”

Physical and psychosocial factors associated with sexual satisfaction in long-term cancer survivors 5 and 10 years after diagnosis

“…For inter- and intrapersonal resources, the bivariate analyses of our study identified a positive correlation between factors such as social support, relationship satisfaction, and functioning levels including global quality of life, and the outcome of sexual satisfaction. Previous research among cancer survivors found that higher sexual satisfaction was significantly associated with higher relationship satisfaction 31 . Our correlation was relatively small and in regression analyses, we found no such effect.…”

“…anxiety, depression, low quality of life and low social support) [26][27][28][29][30] . With some exceptions 31,32 , less is known about the factors that are associated with sexual satisfaction in long-term cancer survivors with a cancer diagnosis across all entities.…”

Couples’ sexual health after gynaecological cancer diagnosis – an unexplored area for further research

“…For that reason, sexual rehabilitation during cancer treatment should not focus just on coital frequency, but rather should include other aspects of human sexuality as a broader concept of psychosexual wellbeing [ 22 , 23 ]. It is of great importance that positive sexual self-schema might facilitate adjustment to new life after a cancer diagnosis [ 24 , 25 ], and body image disturbances correlate with sexual distress [ 26 ].…”