Unique Stressors Experienced by Unmarried Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Although marital status may be a significant variable in determining adjustment to breast cancer, limited empirical research has addressed the unique challenges of single women with this illness. As part of a study examining decision making about pregnancy after breast cancer, 16 unmarried women participated in in-depth interviews. They described five principal Stressors associated with being an unmarried survivor of breast cancer: pessimism regarding future relationships, fears about disclosing their illness to partners, negative body image and impaired sexuality, pain of rejection by partners, and a sense of isolation and inadequate support. These findings suggest that unmarried women with breast cancer may be a vulnerable subpopulation of women with the disease who may benefit from psychosocial interventions tailored to their particular concerns.