Men's sexual help-seeking and care needs after radical prostatectomy or other non-hormonal, active prostate cancer treatments
File version
Author(s)
Opozda, Melissa
Laurie, Kirstyn
Vincent, Andrew D
Oliffe, John L
Nelson, Christian J
Dunn, Jeff
Chung, Eric
Gillman, Michael
Manecksha, Rustom P
Wittert, Gary
Chambers, Suzanne K
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
Objective: To examine prostate cancer (PCa) survivors' sexual help-seeking intentions, behaviours, and unmet needs. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, men who underwent active, non-hormonal treatment completed baseline (N = 558) and 6-month follow-up (N = 387) questionnaires. Theory of planned behaviour (TPB) constructs (sexual help-seeking intention, perceived behavioural control (PBC), subjective norm, attitude), masculine values (e.g., sexual importance/priority, emotional self-reliance), sex life and functioning, sexual supportive care needs, distress (anxiety, depression), and sexual help-seeking behaviour were assessed. Results: Most men (M age = 64.6 years; M years post-diagnosis = 4.0) received prostatectomy (93%), reported severe erectile dysfunction (52%), ≥ 1 unmet sexual care need (66%), and sought help from a doctor (baseline 52%, follow-up 42%). Sexual care needs were significantly associated with poorer erectile function, reduced satisfaction with sex-life, valuing sex as important/integral to identity (masculine values), and increased depression (p ≤ 0.001). Sexual help-seeking intentions were significantly associated with valuing sex as important/integral to identity, recent help-seeking, greater confidence/control, perceiving support from important others, and positive attitudes, for sexual help-seeking (p < 0.001). Significant predictors of sexual help-seeking (follow-up) were baseline intentions, recent help-seeking (p < 0.001), and increased anxiety (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Men's unmet sexual care needs, sexual help-seeking intentions, and behaviour appear driven by the importance/value attributed to sex, distress, positive feelings, support from others, and confidence for help-seeking. Psychosocial providers are well-placed to address men's concerns, yet few sought their assistance. Interventions to improve men's access to effective sexual care are needed, particularly focused on reframing masculine values about the importance of sex and leveraging TPB-based predictors of help-seeking.
Journal Title
Supportive Care in Cancer
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
This publication has been entered into Griffith Research Online as an Advanced Online Version.
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Biomedical and clinical sciences
Psychology
Health service needs
Help-seeking behaviour
Longitudinal studies
Men
Prostate cancer
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Hyde, MK; Opozda, M; Laurie, K; Vincent, AD; Oliffe, JL; Nelson, CJ; Dunn, J; Chung, E; Gillman, M; Manecksha, RP; Wittert, G; Chambers, SK, Men's sexual help-seeking and care needs after radical prostatectomy or other non-hormonal, active prostate cancer treatments., Supportive Care in Cancer, 2020