Body Image Related to Sexual Health: Development of the Concept.

INTRODUCTION: Disturbances in body image can have an impact on sexual health and are prevalent in women of reproductive age. Although body image is important, the definition of this concept is inconsistent across the disciplines of nursing, medicine, and psychology. Use of a consistent definition in clinical practice and research could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of disturbances in body image, thereby advancing research-based knowledge and clinical practice. The purpose of this concept development was to advance the concept of body image as it relates to sexual health among women of reproductive age from the perspectives of 3 disciplines with a strong focus on body image: nursing, medicine, and psychology. METHODS: Strategies for concept development as described by Rodgers provided the basis for this work. The process includes a search, review, and synthesis of the literature surrounding the concept of interest. RESULTS: Seventy-one articles, mostly qualitative and quantitative descriptive, were included and used to develop the concept. Body image related to sexual health in women of reproductive age is a multifaceted concept that is composed of an emotional and behavioral response to one's perceived appearance, sexuality, and degree of femininity. An individual's body image is influenced by sociocultural identities, race, ethnicity, and health status. It has both physical and psychological impact on health outcomes. DISCUSSION: This interprofessional and comprehensive definition of body image should enhance understanding, assessment, and management of body image disturbances, thus bridging disciplines and enhancing interprofessional research and practice.

Body Image, Sexuality, and Sexual Functioning in Women With Gynecologic Cancer: An Integrative Review of the Literature and Implications for Research.

BACKGROUND: Cervical and uterine cancers are common in women. Diagnosis and treatment of these cancers can lead to significant issues with body image, sexuality, and sexual functioning. A comprehensive review can improve understanding of these 3 concepts, in turn enhancing identification and management. OBJECTIVES: To (1) present the qualitative, descriptive, and correlational research literature surrounding body image, sexuality, and sexual functioning in women with uterine and cervical cancer; (2) identify gaps in the literature; and (3) explore the implications of the findings for future research. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the literature was undertaken by searching PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO using predetermined subject headings, keywords, and exploded topics. After a comprehensive evaluation using specific criteria, 121 articles were reviewed. RESULTS: Qualitative studies provided information about women's issues with body image, sexuality, and sexual functioning, whereas quantitative studies focused primarily on sexual functioning. The literature lacks correlational studies examining body image and sexuality. Significant issues regarding communication and quality of life were noted, and few studies were based on clear conceptual models. CONCLUSION: The state of the science gleaned from this review reveals that while much is known about sexual functioning, little is known about body image and sexuality. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Further work is warranted to develop conceptual models and research on body image, sexuality, and sexual functioning as a foundation for interventions to improve quality of life.

Concept Analysis and the Advance of Nursing Knowledge: State of the Science.

PURPOSE: Despite an overwhelming increase in the number of concept analyses published since the early 1970s, there are significant limitations to the impact of this work in promoting progress in nursing science. DESIGN: We conducted an extensive review of concept analyses published between 1972 and 2017 to identify patterns in analysis and followed this with exploration of an exemplar related to the concept of normalization to demonstrate the capabilities of analysis for promoting concept development and progress. METHODS: Scoping review of peer-reviewed literature published in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) in which the terms "concept analysis," "concept clarification," and "concept derivation" appeared in any part of the reference. The original search returned 3,489 articles. This initial pool was refined to a final sample of 958 articles published in 223 journals and addressing 604 concepts. A review of citations of the original analysis of the concept of normalization resulted in 75 articles selected for closer examination of the process of concept development. FINDINGS: Review showed a clear pattern of repetition of analysis of the same concept, growth in number of published analyses, preponderance of first authors with master's degrees, and 43 distinct descriptions of methods. Review of the 75 citations to the normalization analysis identified multiple ways concept analysis can inform subsequent research and theory development. CONCLUSIONS: Conceptual work needs to move beyond the level of "concept analysis" involving clear linkage to the resolution of problems in the discipline. Conceptual work is an important component of progress in the knowledge base of a discipline, and more effective use of concept development activities are needed to maximize the potential of this important work. It is important to the discipline that we facilitate progress in nursing science on a theoretical and conceptual level as a part of cohesive and systematic development of the discipline. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The absence of effective concepts impedes the ability to recognize, discuss, define, and conduct studies important to clinical practice and research. This article reflects the pressing need as well as the potential for concept analysis work to be approached in a way that promotes nursing science and enables conceptually sound research to improve clinical care.