Graduation Year

2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Degree Granting Department

Nursing

Major Professor

Carmen S. Rodriguez, Ph.D., ANP-BC, AOCN

Committee Member

Laura A. Szalacha, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Kristine A. Donovan, Ph.D., M.B.A.

Committee Member

Cecile A. Lengacher, Ph.D., FAAN, FAPOS

Committee Member

Sara M. Tinsley Vance, Ph.D., APRN, AOCN

Committee Member

Lubomir Sokol, MD, Ph.D.

Keywords

anxiety, cancer treatment, depression, hematology

Abstract

Lymphoma, especially non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), is among the most common categories of cancer in the United States (National Cancer Institute [NCI], 2019). The survival rate for lymphoma has significantly improved over the last few decades due to advances in therapy. However, despite these advances, lymphoma patients experience many negative consequences of cancer treatment, including sexual dysfunction (NCI, 2021b). The purpose of this mixed methods pilot study was to explore the presence and experiences of sexual dysfunction and related sexual distress in both male and female lymphoma patients during cancer treatment. A concurrent triangulated design was used to: 1) evaluate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, sexual distress, anxiety, and depression among male and female lymphoma patients during cancer treatment, 2) explore lymphoma patients’ lived experiences with sexual dysfunction and related sexual distress during cancer treatment, and 3) better understand how cancer treatment affects sexual dysfunction and related sexual distress in lymphoma patients by obtaining personal experiences. The findings of this study highlighted that sexual dysfunction, sexual distress, anxiety, and depression were prevalent in lymphoma patients during cancer treatment. In addition, eight themes emerged: sexual functioning prior to lymphoma diagnosis and treatment, sexual functioning after lymphoma diagnosis and during treatment, emotional responses to sexual changes, psychological effects, emotional and social support from loved ones, attitudes toward discussing sexual changes with healthcare professionals, coping mechanisms, and participants’ expectations of sexual health after lymphoma treatment. The integrated data revealed several insights about sexual functioning, sexual distress, anxiety, and depression. However, studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the findings from this pilot study.

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