Accounting for Sexual Issues Related to Cancer

A Discursive Psychological Approach to Online Talk Between Women in Heterosexual Relationships

Authors

  • Irene Kelder Research Group Communication in Digital Transition, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9882-3261
  • Petra Sneijder Research Group Communication in Digital Transition, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, The Netherlands https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0031-3165
  • Annette Klarenbeek Research Group Communication in Digital Transition, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, The Netherlands https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5068-2471
  • Tessa Roseboom Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0564-5994
  • Ellen Laan Department of Sexology and Psychosomatic Gynaecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2023.201

Keywords:

online health forums, cancer patients, discursive psychology, sexuality, sexual health

Abstract

Cancer and its treatments cause significant changes in sexuality that affect the quality of life of both patients and their partners. As these issues are not always discussed with healthcare professionals, cancer patients turn to online health communities to find answers to questions or for emotional support pertaining to sexual issues. By using a discursive psychological perspective, we explore the social actions that participants in online health forums perform when discussing sexuality. Data were collected by entering search terms in the search bars of three online health forums. Our analysis of 213 threads, containing 1,275 posts, provides insight into how participants who present themselves as women with cancer account for their sexual issues and, in doing so, orient to two intertwined norms: Having untroubled sex is part of a couple’s relationship, and male partners are entitled to having untroubled sex. We discuss the potential harmful consequences of orienting to norms related to sexual behaviour. Yet, our findings can also help healthcare professionals in broaching the topic of sexuality in conversations with cancer patients. The insights of this study into what female patients themselves treat as relevant can assist health professionals in better aligning with patients’ interactional concerns.

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Published

03.03.2023

How to Cite

Kelder, I., Sneijder, P., Klarenbeek, A., Roseboom, T., & Laan, E. (2023). Accounting for Sexual Issues Related to Cancer: A Discursive Psychological Approach to Online Talk Between Women in Heterosexual Relationships. European Journal of Health Communication, 4(2), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2023.201

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2023)

Section

Original Research Paper

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Irene Kelder, Petra Sneijder, Annette Klarenbeek, Tessa Roseboom, Ellen Laan

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