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Gynaecological conditions (e.g., endometriosis, PCOS) result in bodily changes that negatively impact body image. Psychological interventions (e.g., CBT, psychoeducation) have shown promise in reviews with the general population for alleviating body image concerns. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide asynthesis of the impact of psychological interventions for reducing body image concerns for individuals with gynaecological conditions. Electronic databases were searched for relevant psychological intervention studies with body image outcomes. Twenty-one eligible studies were included in the systematic review (ten were included in a random-effects meta-analysis). Studies included participants (N = 1483, M = 71.85, SD = 52.79) with a range of gynaecological conditions, ages (Mage = 35.08, SD = 12.17) and cultural backgrounds. Most included studies reported at least one positive effect with the meta-analysis indicating psychological interventions were moderately superior to control conditions for reducing body image concerns (SMD -.41, 95% CI [−0.20 −0.62]). However, there was a high risk of bias and moderate heterogeneity. Results suggest psychological interventions may hold promise for reducing body image concerns among individuals gynaecological conditions in the short term. Further, preliminary support was found for the use of theory-guided psychological interventions delivered in group settings in particular, with further research needed on optimal intervention length and particular psychotherapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience and self-compassion are related, yet distinct, constructs that have each been separately associated with psychological wellbeing. This study aimed to examine the relative contribution of these constructs to psychological wellbeing simultaneously by investigating whether greater levels of resilience and self-compassion were associated with improved psychological wellbeing as represented by greater optimism, life satisfaction, and positive affect, and lower negative affect and psychological distress. Participants (N = 168) in this online cross-sectional study first completed a demographic survey. Following this, participants completed measures of resilience, self-compassion, optimism, life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and psychological distress. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that self-compassion and resilience both held a moderate-to-strong positive association with optimism and life satisfaction, and a moderate-to-strong negative association with depressive symptoms. Only self-compassion was associated with anxiety, stress, and negative affect, all with a moderate-to-strong negative effect. Only resilience was associated with positive affect. Here, a moderate-to-strong positive effect was observed. Results suggested that self-compassion and resilience contribute to psychological wellbeing in different ways. This indicates that targeted interventions aimed at increasing self-compassion and resilience simultaneously may contribute to improvements in different components of wellbeing. What is already known about this topic: Psychological wellbeing is associated with general health, psychological development, and longevity. Greater self-compassion and resilience are independently associated with greater wellbeing. Both self-compassion and resilience can be targeted through psychological interventions to promote wellbeing. What this topic adds: (1) Self-compassion and resilience, when considered together, do not uniquely relate to all aspects of psychological wellbeing. (2) Both self-compassion and resilience were uniquely related to some components of wellbeing (e.g., optimism). For other aspects of wellbeing (e.g., minimal symptoms of anxiety), only one of self-compassion or resilience was uniquely related to wellbeing. (3) There is now a need to examine the unique effect of manipulating self-compassion and resilience on wellbeing to confirm if these patterns of associations are indicative of early intervention effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) experience body image concerns following treatment. Body Image distress (BID) is associated with psychological distress and diminished quality of life. A web-based self-compassion focused writing activity (My Changed Body – MyCB) reduces BID in BCSs, yet limited research exists on participant characteristics associated with such intervention adherence. Self-compassion-based meditations are also efficacious in reducing BID in non-BCS populations. This parallel, double-blind pilot randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of MyCB, with and without an additional meditation component, on BID and related psychological outcomes in BCSs. The trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (#ACTRN12619001693112). BCSs were randomly allocated to MyCB (n = 39), MyCB + Meditation (MyCB + M) (n = 17) or an expressive writing (EW) active control arm (n = 23). The primary outcome was BID. Secondary outcomes were body appreciation, affect (positive and negative), psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress) and self-compassion (state and trait). Assessments were completed online at baseline, post-intervention and 1-month. Adherence to the MyCB writing (45%) and meditation (50%) was modest, and acceptability was high for both MyCB and MyCB + M. Intent to treat linear mixed model analyses indicated: Post-intervention – state self-compassion and positive affect increased for MyCB compared to EW; 1-month: BID scores decreased across all conditions; trait self-compassion increased and anxiety decreased for MyCB + M compared to MyCB and EW. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy and potential clinical use of the MyCB brief web-based self-compassion intervention alone and with the addition of meditation, to increase self-compassion and psychological wellbeing in BCSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benign gynaecological conditions (BCGs) and body image-related concerns are commonly experienced by reproductive-aged female-identified individuals. Qualitative evidence from cancer populations identifies a link between diseases of the sexual organs and body image distress encompassing appearance, sensory and functional aspects. Most BCGs and the impacts on body image have been studied separately. However, commonalities exist between these conditions including chronicity, diagnostic delays, and menstrual-related social stigma. This systematic scoping review and meta-synthesis aimed to compare and contrast the experience of body image in the benign conditions of endometriosis, polycystic ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, and Allied and Complementary Medicine) were searched in February 2020 and relevant articles were examined to identify papers that qualitatively explored the relationship between body image and BCGs. Meta-synthesis was used to analyse the 17 papers that met the inclusion criteria. Six main themes evolved from this iterative analysis: loss of control; regained control; silence – menstrual concealment; cultural differences; feeling abnormal, and functional impairment. Body image concerns were widespread although impacts on individual's lives were dependent on the unique symptom profile of each disease which interacted with socio-cultural factors, daily functioning, and feminine identity. Body image concerns were a common, but hidden, experience rarely screened in routine clinical settings despite causing significant distress. The chronicity and severity of individuals unique symptom profile often determined the intensity and type of body image concerns individuals described. Across conditions, body image concerns were often left untreated, were concealed, and were associated with reduced quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing evidence links mindful awareness to the regulation of emotion, yet little is known about the temporal features of this association. This preliminary prospective study aimed to test the bidirectional relationship between mindful awareness, emotion regulation, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum. One-hundred forty-nine women completed an online survey at any stage during pregnancy and at 3-6 months postpartum. Psychosocial variables were assessed using validated, self-report measures. Bootstrapped mediation analysis demonstrated a bidirectional association between mindful awareness and emotion regulation for anxiety, but not depressive symptoms. Results provide partial support for the hypothesized bidirectional relationship, whereby mindful awareness facilitates adaptive regulation of anxiety, but not depressive symptoms, and in turn, emotion regulation enhances the ability for present moment awareness. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Mindfulness and emotion regulation are conceptually and empirically related. (2) Emotion regulation has been proposed as a pathway through which mindfulness exerts influence on mental health. (3) Mindfulness has also been linked with emotion regulation. What this topic adds: (1) Preliminary support for a temporal bidirectional relationship. (2) Preliminary support for a reciprocal relationship in a perinatal context. (3) Reciprocal relationship may not be evidenced in relation to depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abnormalities in the appearance of skin are commonly associated with compromised self-body perceptions, arising from physical manifestations of the skin condition that deviate from the individual's idealised body image. These body image concerns are associated with a range of psychological issues including anxiety, depression, fear of negative evaluation, and suicidal ideation. Unfortunately, stigma and embarrassment associated with these body image concerns mean that these issues are rarely discussed in clinical medical consultations. There is thus a need for highly accessible and acceptable interventions to address skin-related body image concerns. We have previously demonstrated that a web-based self-compassion focused therapeutic writing approach, the 'My Changed Body' intervention, is efficacious in addressing body image concerns of women in the breast cancer context. The aim of this experimental pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of applying the My Changed Body intervention to address visible skin-related body image concerns. Methods: Participants (N = 50) with a range of visible skin conditions provided online informed consent, then completed measures of demographic and medical history, body image disturbance, self-compassion and positive and negative affect. They were then randomly allocated either to an active control expressive writing condition (n = 25) or to the My Changed Body writing condition (n = 25). Participants were blind to their condition allocation. Immediately after completing their allocated writing exercise, participants completed self-compassion and affect measures. Results: Controlling for pre-writing body image disturbance, repeated measures ANCOVAs with fixed effects revealed that self-compassion and negative affect significantly improved after the My Changed Body writing exercise, compared to the control condition. There was no between groups difference at follow-up in positive affect. Conclusions: This study suggests that the My Changed Body writing intervention may provide benefit to individuals with visible skin conditions. A randomised controlled trial is needed to further confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Cervical cancer vaccination is efficacious and widely available, yet uptake is less than optimal, even in countries such as Australia that provide government-funded vaccination programmes. Effective communication strategies are needed for presenting Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine-related information in a format that enhances understanding about the vaccine, and ultimately, uptake of the vaccine. Using the Common Sense Model framework, we aimed to assess the role of illness coherence in women’s decisions to undergo the vaccine. As a secondary aim, we piloted a communication strategy entailing the provision of Disease Risk-Action Link information about the links between HPV, cervical cancer, and vaccination on women’s cervical cancer illness coherence. Methods:In total, 132 young Australian women (18–26 years old) completed online surveys measuring illness coherence, vaccine status, intentions to undergo vaccination, and medical/demographic variables. Women who had not undergone vaccination were then randomised to receive either a brief or detailed information message about cervical cancer. Messages varied by the extent of detail (brief vs. detailed) providing Disease Risk-Action Link information about the link between the action of the vaccine, the HPV, and cervical cancer. Next, illness coherence was re-assessed. Results:ANOVA results suggested that women who were vaccinated reported higher levels of illness coherence. Linear regression analyses indicated that, in non-vaccinated women, illness coherence was significantly associated with intentions to vaccinate. ANCOVA analysis indicated that non-vaccinated women assigned to the detailed message condition reported greater increases in illness coherence compared to those assigned to the brief message condition. Conclusion: Illness coherence appears to be an important factor in actual vaccination uptake and intentions to vaccinate. The experimental informational message manipulation further demonstrated that the provision of detailed messages highlighting the Disease-Risk-Action Links in the cervical cancer context can promote illness coherence. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examined women's experiences of romantically dating after breast cancer. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 female breast cancer survivors who attempted to form new relationships post-breast cancer. Interview transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. We identified an overarching theme of “navigating the breast cancer dating journey,” comprising seven themes including women's decision to consider dating; ability/desire to commence a new relationship; cancer-related disclosure; changes to intimacy and sexuality; body image difficulties; changing values; and trusting a new partner. Future research should empirically determine factors predicting a woman's ability to form a romantic relationship after breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. While dating is critical in the formation of a lifelong romantic relationship, women with breast cancer or a genetic susceptibility to developing this disease report a myriad of dating concerns. This review synthesises and discusses the perceived dating barriers and concerns in this population.Method. A systematic search of CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and PubMed was undertaken and yielded 19 published qualitative studies. Papers were subjected to critical appraisal to ensure the integrity of findings.Results. Six areas of concern were identified: Feeling unattractive due to treatment side effects; perceiving limited dating partners available; determining how, when and what to disclose; fear of cancer recurrence and reduced life expectancy; apprehension about entering into a new sexual relationship; and dating urgency and not wanting to ‘waste time’ on partners without long-term potential.Conclusions. This paper provides a valuable synthesis of the complex issues, concerns and decisions that single women face at different stages of relationship formation following their breast cancer experience. Future research is warranted to explore the perceptions, appraisals and beliefs underlying these concerns, to help guide the future design and development of appropriate informational and supportive care offered to breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This randomised controlled trial evaluated the impact of an enhanced counselling (EC) intervention on knowledge about the heritability of breast and ovarian cancer and distress, as a function of BRCA test result, among high-risk women. Before deciding about whether or not to undergo genetic testing, participants were randomly assigned to the EC intervention (N = 69), designed to promote cognitive and affective processing of cancer risk information (following the standard individualised counselling session), or to the control condition (N = 65), which involved standard individualised counselling followed by a general health information session to control for time and attention. Women in the EC group exhibited greater knowledge than women in the control group, 1 week after the intervention. Further, at the affective level, the intervention was found to be the most beneficial for women testing positive: specifically 1 week after test result disclosure, women in the intervention group who tested positive experienced lower levels of distress than women in the control group who tested positive. The findings suggest that the design of counselling aids should include a component that explicitly activates the individual's cognitive-affective processing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the influence of psychosocial and surgical factors on decision regret among 123 women diagnosed with breast cancer who had undergone immediate (58%) or delayed (42%) breast reconstruction following mastectomy. The majority of participants (52.8%, n = 65) experienced no decision regret, 27.6% experienced mild regret and 19.5% moderate to strong regret. Bivariate analyses indicated that decision regret was associated with negative body image and psychological distress - intrusion and avoidance. There were no differences in decision regret either with respect to methods or timing patterns of reconstructive surgery. Multinominal logistic regression analysis showed that, when controlling for mood state and time since last reconstructive procedure, increases in negative body image were associated with increased likelihood of experiencing decision regret. These findings highlight the need for optimal input from surgeons and therapists in order to promote realistic expectations regarding the outcome of breast reconstruction and to reduce the likelihood of women experiencing decision regret. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An empirical investigation of Coombs' unfolding theory was conducted in which basic assumptions of the theory were tested. The primary concern was to investigate the effects upon individuals' preference judgements when the presented set of scaled stimuli was changed. Two types of judgemental tasks were used to assess these possible contextual effects: rank order and paired comparisons, and two different sets of scaled stimuli were presented. A reliability measure was also taken as apparent context effects could merely be due to lack of reliability. The obtained data supported the basic assumptions of Coombs' theory, and subjects' responses were highly reliable, thus little confounding should have occurred. The change of context effects, however, were contrary to the prediction of Coombs' theory. Strong evidence for these context effects was found for both sets of stimuli and both kinds of tasks implemented. Implications of these findings are discussed and doubts are raised concerning the usefulness of the unfolding theory in the context of attitude scaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]