Date of Award
Summer 8-24-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Organizational Unit
Morgridge College of Education, Counseling Psychology
First Advisor
Trisha L. Raque
Second Advisor
Lisa Brownstone
Third Advisor
Nicole Nicotera
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Keywords
Cervical cancer, Gender role, Oncology, Psychosocial oncology, Rural, Social constructionism
Abstract
Rural cervical cancer survivors, or individuals with a form of cancer that originated in the cervix of the reproductive system, may be uniquely impacted by socially constructed gender roles. The present study utilized the term “females” to describe those who self-identify as having a cervix, which may include cisgender, transgender, intersex, and non-binary gender identities. Rural females have been indicated to hold salience in traditional gender expectations as partners, mothers, community members, and more, which may add survivorship complexity for cervical cancer survivors within this population by to attempting to fulfill gender roles to the pre-cancer level. Moreover, rural cervical cancer survivors have limited access to specialty healthcare services and endure higher mortality rates compared to urban females. Utilizing a social constructionist lens, this dissertation qualitatively examined the gender role experiences of 10 rural cervical cancer survivors in active treatment ranging from 27 to 51 years of age. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and semi-structured individual interview addressing (a) salient gender roles; (b) how gender roles are interpersonally and intrapersonally affected by cervical cancer; (c) how survivors cope with gender role demands; (d) how survivors are affected by social messaging of gender roles; and (e) how survivors’ gender role experiences may be addressed with oncology providers. The Consensual Qualitative Research methodology elicited seven domains, comprising Interpersonal Impact, Identity Impact, Emotional Impact, Physiological Impact, Coping, Navigating the Medical System, and Systemic Social Messaging. Results contribute to the psycho-oncology field by empirically describing the gender role experiences of a highly understudied gynecologic oncology population, and recommending culturally responsive clinical points of entry to address rural cervical cancer survivors’ gender role needs in treatment.
Copyright Date
8-2024
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Olivia K. Pointer
Provenance
Received from Author
File Format
application/pdf
Language
English (eng)
Extent
247 pgs
File Size
1.4 MB
Recommended Citation
Pointer, Olivia K., "Rural Cervical Cancer Survivors’ Experiences of Gender Roles: An Application of Social Constructionism" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2471.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/2471
Included in
Counseling Psychology Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Oncology Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, Women's Studies Commons
