In order to assess factors related to men's adjustment to mastectomy and
its aftermath the authors administered a questionnaire to 31 men whose
wives or partners had had mastectomies. Most men reported a good overall
adjustment, but a subgroup remained distressed and reported adverse effects
on their relationships with wives or lovers. The data indicate that the
nodal points in the process are the involvement of partners in the
decision-making process, the frequency of hospital visits, resumption of
the sexual relationship, and the man looking at his partner's body after
surgery. These findings have implications for counseling couples who face
this emotionally stressful procedure.Abstract Teaser