Analyse des Selbst- und Fremdkonzepts bei Männern mit onkologischen Erkrankungen

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The topic of this report is the examination of the emotional and body-related self-perception and perception of others as well as the influence of therapeutical interventions on both concepts. Many authors state that problems which arise because of disability or illness also lead to a change in both the patient’s self perception and how other people perceive the patient. The main object of this survey is to describe the alterations, which occur to physical and mental self-perception in addition to the perception of others concerning men suffering from cancer in the lower body. Furthermore I will investigate how the symptoms of cancer affect different areas of the patients’ life. A particular emphasis will be placed upon the patients’ relationships with family members, friends and acquaintances. I will also be examining the changing sexual relationships between the patients and their sexual partners and their acceptance of the effects of the illness. A final emphasis will be placed upon the influence of previous therapy methods concerning the patients’ self-perception and the perception of others. METHOD: A qualitative research method was chosen to analyse the perception of men involved regarding self-perception and the perception of others. The sample involved 10 men (n = 10) who were diagnosed with Prostate Carcinoma (n = 5), Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder (n = 3) and Kidney Carcinoma (n = 2). The patients were interviewed individually, in a semi-structured format, on their self-perception and the perception of others. These results were analysed in accordance with the method of qualitative content analysis described by Bortz and Doring . RESULTS: Numerous responses highlighted that incontinence and impotence, which developed as a consequence of the operation, had negative effects on the self perception and the perception of others. What was found most difficult by the men concerned, were problems concerning their sexual competency. This was due to the high level of involvement of the sexual partner who for the first time became personally affected by the illness. On the other hand a more positive reaction was the acceptance of these effects by family, friends and acquaintances. In these circles the patients continued to feel fully integrated into life. Other positive responses were highlighted after the rehabilitation therapy which took steps to improve the side effects, particularly incontinence. CONCLUSION: Cancerous diseases lead to a change in both self perception and how other people perceive you. The consequences of this were reduced self-awareness and self confidence as well as a feeling of inferiority in some of the men surveyed. The patients’ experiences in the way people perceived them lead to a stronger mental and physical self-perception, particularly in the process of integration, acceptance and tolerance. It is necessary to have prepared an overall method of dealing with the illness both mentally and physically, which then allows a process of rehabilitation in the different areas of the patients’ life. The patient has to be able to choose the therapy and to become more self assured in his private life in order to continue to strengthen himself against both self perception and the perception of others.