title: Interpersonal Sensitivity and Sexual Functioning in Young Men with Testicular Cancer: the Moderating Role of Coping.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interpersonal sensitivity is characterized by the predisposition to perceive and elicit criticism, rejection, and negative social evaluation. It may be linked to poorer physical or functional health outcomes, particularly in the interpersonal context (cancer-related sexual dysfunction).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study tested the association of interpersonal sensitivity with sexual functioning following testicular cancer in young men and whether this association is moderated by coping processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men ages 18 to 29 (N = 171; M age = 25.2, SD = 3.32) with a history of testicular cancer were recruited via the California State Cancer Registry and completed questionnaire measures including assessments of interpersonal sensitivity, sexual functioning, and approach and avoidance coping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression analysis controlling for education, age, partner status, ethnic status, and time since diagnosis revealed that higher interpersonal sensitivity was significantly related to lower sexual functioning (β = -0.18, p < 0.05). Cancer-related approach-oriented coping was associated with better sexual functioning (β = 0.19, p < 0.05). No significant association was observed for avoidance coping (β = -0.08, ns). Approach-oriented coping, but not avoidance, moderated the relationship with sexual functioning (β = 0.19, p < 0.05), such that higher interpersonal sensitivity was more strongly associated with lower functioning among men with relatively low use of approach coping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interpersonal sensitivity may be an important individual difference in vulnerability to sexual dysfunction after testicular cancer. Enhancement of coping skills may be a useful direction for intervention development for interpersonally sensitive young men with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, Room 611-HN, New York, NY, 10065, USA. michael.hoyt@hunter.cuny.edu.|Department of Psychology, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA. michael.hoyt@hunter.cuny.edu.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hoyt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, Room 611-HN, New York, NY, 10065, USA. cmccan@hunter.cuny.edu.
authors.forename: Connor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, Room 611-HN, New York, NY, 10065, USA. msavone@hunter.cuny.edu.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savone
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. csaigal@mednet.ucla.edu.|Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. csaigal@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Saigal
authors.affiliation: Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. astanton@ucla.edu.|Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. astanton@ucla.edu.|Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. astanton@ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Annette L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Stanton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000066498:Emotional Adjustment; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D055703:Reproductive Physiological Phenomena; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Approach coping; Avoidance; Interpersonal sensitivity; Sexual function; Testicular cancer