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Appearance concerns among women with neurofibromatosis: examining sexual/bodily and social self-consciousness.

Authors :
Smith, Kelly B.
Wang, Daphne L.
Plotkin, Scott R.
Park, Elyse R.
Source :
Psycho-Oncology; Dec2013, Vol. 22 Issue 12, p2711-2719, 9p, 4 Charts
Publication Year :
2013

Abstract

Objective Neurofibromatosis (NF) 1 and 2 have distinct appearance effects, yet little research has examined patients' appearance concerns. We assessed appearance concerns and self-consciousness, self-esteem, and loneliness among women with NF. Methods Women with NF1 ( n = 79) and NF2 ( n = 48) completed the Derriford Appearance Scale to assess appearance concerns and sexual/bodily and social self-consciousness, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and UCLA Loneliness Scale. Women's appearance concerns were coded to determine whether they were NF-related and whether psychosocial factors contributed to the concerns. Results A total of 85% of women reported appearance concerns, many of which were NF-related and attributed to psychosocial factors. Women with NF1 reported significantly more sexual/bodily self-consciousness but similar levels of social self-consciousness compared with women with NF2. Significantly higher sexual/bodily self-consciousness was found among married/cohabiting women regardless of NF group. Compared with general population norms and breast cancer survivors (BCS), women with NF1 reported significantly greater sexual/bodily and social self-consciousness. Women with NF2 reported less sexual/bodily self-consciousness compared with population norms, yet tended to report greater sexual/bodily self-consciousness than BCS. Women with NF2 reported significantly greater social self-consciousness compared with population norms and BCS. For both NF1 and NF2, higher levels of sexual/bodily and social self-consciousness were related to lower self-esteem and higher levels of social self-consciousness to more loneliness. Conclusions Appearance concerns are prevalent, and social self-consciousness is high, among women with NF1 and NF2. Women with NF1 compared with NF2 experience more sexual/bodily self-consciousness. Providers should assess the impact of NF on women's self-perceptions and address sexual, body image, and social concerns. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
10579249
Volume :
22
Issue :
12
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Psycho-Oncology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
92728018
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3350