Iranian Women's Self-Concept after Hysterectomy: A Qualitative Study

Background: Loss of femininity organs leads to profound changes in one's perception of oneself. There is limited information about the impact of hysterectomy on women’s self-concept, and culture. Therefore, this study aimed to deepen the understanding self-concept of Iranian women after hysterectomy.Materials and methods: This qualitative study was conducted using directed content analysis approach. Thirty women with history of hysterectomy were participated in the study by purposive sampling method. Data were collected from August ۲۰۱۸ to November ۲۰۱۹ using in-depth and semi-structured interviews based on the Self-concept mode of the Roy Adaptation model in Mashhad. Data analysis was performed using MAXQDA۱۰ software and using the deductive approach of Elo and Kyngäs.Results: From the analysis of interview, the main category of “incoherent cognition of self-concept” emerged, which consists of two Generic categories of “Heterogeneous feelings and imaginations of the body”, and “changed self-perception”, and include ۵ subcategories.Conclusions: women’s self-concept after hysterectomy changed in both physical and psychological aspects. Therefore, it is recommended that counselling before and after hysterectomy be considered to improve women's self-concept after hysterectomy.

Keywords:

self- concept , hysterectomy , qualitative research , women , Iran