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Image corporelle et cancer: une analyse psychosociale

Body image and cancer: a psychosocial analysis

  • Article Original / Original Article
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Psycho-Oncologie

Résumé

Nous avons effectué deux recherches qui avaient pour objectif de questionner, dans une perspective psychosociale, la place de l’image corporelle dans l’expérience de la maladie cancéreuse. Une première recherche, par questionnaire, a été effectuée auprès de patients (n = 42) du service d’oncologie médicale du CHU de la Timone. Le questionnaire comprenait le questionnaire d’image corporelle (QIC), l’inventaire d’estime de soi sociale, le QLQ-C30 et des questions relatives aux atteintes et pratiques corporelles. La deuxième recherche consistait en l’analyse lexicographique du contenu des échanges de groupes de parole de patients organisés au sein d’ateliers à visée esthétique. Les résultats de ces deux recherches soulignent la complexité du rapport au corps. Les pratiques corporelles (masquage des modifications corporelles, entretien) sont essentiellement féminines. La satisfaction corporelle, l’estime de soi sociale et le niveau de préoccupation associé à l’esthétique ne diffèrent pas selon le sexe des patients. Des liens entre dimensions de la qualité de vie (physiques, émotionnelles, cognitives et sociales) et satisfaction corporelle sont observés chez les femmes et aucun chez les hommes. L’analyse des échanges au sein des groupes de parole montre une présence peu importante du thème de l’image corporelle. Ces groupes constituent davantage un lieu d’élaboration d’une identité groupale. Ces travaux montrent la complexité des enjeux associés à l’image corporelle dans le contexte de la maladie cancéreuse et l’impact des cadres sociaux sur l’expérience corporelle du malade du cancer, notamment le rôle important de l’identité sexuée des patients.

Abstract

We carried out two studies with the aim of elucidating, from a psychosocial point of view, the place of body image in the experience of cancer. The first study involved the use of a questionnaire with patients (N = 42) from the medical oncology unit of the « la Timone » University Hospital. The questionnaire included the Body Image Questionnaire, the Social Self-Esteem Inventory, the QLQ-C30 and some questions about negative consequences and practices concerning the body. The second study consisted of a lexicographical analysis of the content of discussions between patients attending body image self-help groups. The results of the two studies emphasize the complexity of peoples’ relationships with their bodies. Body practices (masking body modifications, maintenance) were primarily female. Body satisfaction, social self-esteem and level of preoccupation with appearance did not differ according to the sex of the patients. Links between some dimensions of quality of life (physical, emotional, cognitive and social) and body satisfaction were only observed for women. Analysis of discussions within the self-help groups showed that the topic of body image was of only minor significance. The role of these groups appeared to be rather that of developing a group identity. This work highlights the complex nature of issues associated with body image in the context of cancer and the impact of social dimensions on these experiences — in particular the important role played by gender.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de psychologie sociale, université de Provence, 29, avenue Robert-Schuman, F-13621, Aix-en-Provence, France

    L. Dany, T. Apostolidis & E. Suarez-Diaz

  2. Service d’oncologie médicale, centre hospitalier de la Timone, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, F-13385, Marseille cedex 05, France

    L. Dany & P. Cannone

  3. Inserm UMR 912, F-13006, Marseille, France

    T. Apostolidis

  4. Association Var-Est pour les soins d’accompagnement (AVESA), 32, avenue du Docteur-Samné, F-83700, Saint-Raphaël, France

    F. Filipetto

Authors
  1. L. Dany
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  2. T. Apostolidis
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  3. P. Cannone
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  4. E. Suarez-Diaz
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  5. F. Filipetto
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Correspondence to T. Apostolidis, P. Cannone, E. Suarez-Diaz or F. Filipetto.

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Dany, L., Apostolidis, T., Cannone, P. et al. Image corporelle et cancer: une analyse psychosociale. Psycho Oncologie 3, 101–117 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11839-009-0128-y

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