Intimacy and sexual functioning after cancer: The intersection with psychological flexibility

Abstract

Cancer significantly impacts overall satisfaction with life (SWL). Psychological flexibility (PF) involves adapting to situational demands, balancing life demands, and committing to value-aligned behaviours, which can help survivors manage cancer-related distress. Given the lack of research examining how PF affects relationship and sexual satisfaction, our purpose was to elucidate the relationship between variables associated with partner intimacy, pillars of PF, and variables related to psychological wellness. We explored relationships between SWL and the pillars of PF (Valued Action, Behavioural Awareness, Openness to Experience) as mediating factors in the association between relationship and sexual satisfaction and SWL. Participants (113 male, 106 female) completed questionnaires measuring sexual function, intimacy, relationship and sexual satisfaction, PF, SWL, anxiety, and depression. Results indicated an equal percentage (57.5%) of males and females reported sexual dysfunction; however, varied patterns of relationships emerged between the sexes. There were significant relationships between SWL and relationship and sexual satisfaction. The mediation analyses showed that valued action and openness to experience partially mediated the relationship between relationship satisfaction and SWL. Interestingly, Valued Action was the only pillar of PF that emerged as a partial mediator between sexual satisfaction and SWL. Thus, value-aligned behaviours may be a key focus for intervention in cancer survivors.