title: Exploring the influence of gender-role socialization and objectified body consciousness on body image disturbance in breast cancer survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the relationships between gender-role socialization, objectified body consciousness and quality of life in breast cancer (BC) survivors with body image (BI) disturbance post-treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 150 BC survivors participating in an ongoing randomized clinical trial of a group psychotherapy intervention for BI-related concerns completed a baseline battery of standardized measures including the following: Body Image Scale (BIS), Body Image after Breast Cancer Questionnaire (BIBCQ), Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) measuring Body Shame and Surveillance, Gender-Role Socialization Scale (GRSS) measuring internalization of traditional gender roles and attitudes and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Quality-of-Life Instrument (FACT-B). Correlational analyses were conducted between the two BI questionnaires, the two primary psychosocial variables GRSS and OBCS, and FACT-B. Path analysis was conducted on a proposed theoretical model delineating pathways between the two primary psychosocial variables and BI disturbance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant positive correlations were found between the two BI scales and (a) GRSS (average r = 0.53, p < 0.000), (b) Body Shame (average r = 0.53, p < 0.000) and Surveillance (average r = 0.48, p < 0.000). The BIS and BIBCQ were negatively associated with the FACT-B (r = -0.62, -0.73, respectively; p < 0.000). Results from the path analysis demonstrated support for the proposed model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breast cancer survivors who endorsed greater internalization of traditional gender roles and attitudes, who engaged in greater self-surveillance and experienced greater body shame, reported greater BI disturbance and poorer quality of life post-treatment. Women with these predispositions are likely to be more vulnerable for psychological distress and may experience poorer adjustment after BC treatment.
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Sciences & Health Research Division, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Virginia M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Boquiren
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Sciences & Health Research Division, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|de Souza Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Esplen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|de Souza Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Jiahui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Toner
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Warner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D057227:Femininity; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000523:psychology; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012951:Socialization; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: breast cancer; gender‐role socialization; objectified body consciousness; oncology; quality of life