The Correlation Between Body Image Perception, Sexual Life, And Fatigue In Patients With Hematological Malignancy

Authors : Yaren Tokyürek, Ezgi Karadağ

Pages : 173-191

View : 77 | Download : 94

Publication Date : 2025-07-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between body image perception, sexual life, and fatigue in patients with hematological malignancy. Material-Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional research. This study was conducted with 176 patients treated in the Hematology Ward and Day Treatment Center of a University Hospital located in western Turkey between January 2020 and June 2022. The data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, the Piper Fatigue Scale, and the Body-Cathexis Scale. The data were analyzed using percentage, Kruskal Wallis variance analysis, Mann Whitney-U test, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency tests. Results: It was found that 10.8% of the patients were informed about sexual life and very low rate (2.8%) of those who received information got this information from healthcare professionals. It was reported that 89.2% of the patients did not receive information about their sexual life after starting treatment, 52.8% stated that the process had an impact on their sexual life and 64.8% negatively affected their relationships with their spouses. The mean score of the patients from the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale was 20.84 ± 2.53, the mean total score from the Piper Fatigue Scale was 5.44 ± 0.60, and the mean score from the Body-Cathexis Scale was 103.61 ± 6.37. Conclusion: A weak positive correlation was found between the Body-Cathexis Scale and the Piper Fatigue Scale’s behavioral, affective and cognitive subscales and total score(p<0.05). As the overall fatigue increased, satisfaction with body parts or functions declined (p<0.05). Oncology nurses should be able to provide care to patients including their sexuality in a holistic approach instead of symptom-focused care. As a result of the research; no significant relationship was found between the total score of the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale and the total score of the Piper Fatigue Scale (p>0.05). Similarly, no significant relationship was found between the total score of the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale and the total score of the Body-Cathexis Scale (p>0.05). They should be aware of other variables (such as fatigue and body image perception) that may affect sexual life and should be approach oncology patients from this perspective.
Keywords : Hematoloji, Beden imajı algısı, Cinsellik, Yorgunluk, Hemşirelik

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