An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the psychosexual identity development in adolescent and young adult survivors of testicular cancer.

BACKGROUND

Qualitative research has explored how some testicular cancer survivors (TCS) experience the psychological impacts of diagnosis and treatment. More research into the impacts of testicular cancer (TC) on adolescent and young adults (AYA) is needed due to the critical period of identity development. The present study aimed to explore how AYA with TC appraise and make sense of their experience and to develop a greater understanding of psychosexual identity development in AYA TCS.

METHOD

Eight AYA TCS were interviewed. The results were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The questions explored the experiences relating to diagnosis and treatment, how it affected their psychosexual identity development (e.g., sexual relationships and self-image) and the meanings attached to the experiences.

ANALYSIS

Four Group Experiential Themes were developed from the data; 'Dealing with the shock', 'Fear and weight of responsibility', 'those closest to me' and 'sense of change'.

DISCUSSION

The AYA TCS experiences may result in adoption of traditional masculine traits (e.g., stoicism) or abandonment of traditionally masculine traits (E.g. violence and aggression). AYA TCS also described feelings of insecurity when compared to other men. Psychology input could help manage stoicism and feelings of inferiority when compared to men with two testicles.

BackgroundQualitative research has explored how some testicular cancer survivors (TCS) cope with the psychological impacts of diagnosis and treatment. However, there is a need for more research on the effects of testicular cancer (TC) specifically in adolescent and young adults (AYA), given the critical period of identity development during this stage. The present study aimed to explore how AYA with TC perceive and make sense of their experiences, with a focus on psychosexual identity development.MethodEight AYA TCS were interviewed, and their responses were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The interviews covered topics related to diagnosis, treatment, and how these experiences influenced their psychosexual identity (including sexual relationships and self-image).AnalysisFour main themes emerged from the data: “Dealing with the shock”: Participants discussed their initial reactions to the diagnosis. “Fear and weight of responsibility”: AYA TCS grappled with fear and the burden of managing their health. “Those closest to me”: Relationships with family and friends played a significant role in their experiences. “Sense of change”: Participants described how their cancer journey impacted their sense of self.DiscussionAYA TCS may either adopt traditional masculine traits (such as stoicism) or abandon them (e.g., violence and aggression). Additionally, they expressed feelings of insecurity when comparing themselves to other men. Psychology support could help manage stoicism and address feelings of inferiority when compared to men with two testicles.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.