The influence of bilateral orchiectomy on self-concept: a pilot study.
This pilot study was designed to explore self-concept alterations in a group of patients undergoing bilateral orchiectomy for treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale was used to measure pre- and postoperative self-concept group scores. Also, the group of orchiectomy patients was compared to a group of patients undergoing a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for cancer and another group undergoing a TURP for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The results provide no evidence to suggest that surgical removal of both testicles in a group of males has a significant effect on self-concept or its indices when compared to a group of men who underwent a TURP, where both groups also were diagnosed with cancer. For the group of males who underwent bilateral orchiectomy, no significant differences were detected between the pre- and postoperative total self-concept scores. However, statistically significant differences did exist between the group's pre- and postoperative physical self scores and identity scores.
Montgomery
P
P
School of Nursing, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Shanti
G
G
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept