Neerhof, Yvon (Y.) (2026) Sexual health in patients with low-grade glioma: an exploratory study examining the relationship with (social) cognition, psychological distress and tumor characteristics. Master thesis, Psychology.
![[img]](https://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
Masterthesis-Yvon-Neerhof-2.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (681kB) |
Abstract
Objective: Patients with low-grade gliomas (LGG) generally have a relatively favorable prognosis, but often face cognitive, physical and psychological consequences. Sexual health received little attention, although this can impact quality of life. Factors related to sexual health in patients with LGG remain largely unexplored. Deficits in social cognition (SC), which can affect interpersonal functioning, are common in patients with LGG and may affect sexual health. However, the relationship between sexual health and SC in patients with LGG has never been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate (1) sexual health in patients with LGG and (2) the relationship between sexual health and SC, general cognition, affective symptoms and tumor characteristics. Method: Sexual health was measured >1 year post-treatment (radio- and chemotherapy) in 74 patients with LGG. The Brain Injury Questionnaire of Sexuality (BIQS) measures changes in sexual functioning and relationship quality and self-esteem since diagnosis. The Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale (SSCS) measures sexual self-focus and sexual embarrassment. Lower BIQS and higher SSCS scores indicate more problems in sexual health. In a subgroup of 54 patients, SC was measured with the Facial Expressions of Emotion Stimuli and Tests (FEEST) (emotion recognition) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) (alexithymia). General cognition was measured with the 15 Words Test and the Trail Making Test, affective symptoms with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Tumor location and volume were determined on MRI scans. Results: Since diagnosis, 73% of patients reported a negative change in sexual functioning and 53% reported a negative change in relationship quality and self-esteem. 18% of patients reported high levels of sexual self-consciousness. Alexithymia and tumor volume were significantly related with negative changes in sexual functioning and relationship quality and self-esteem and higher sexual self-focus and sexual embarrassment. The sexual health measures were not related to tumor location, general cognition, emotion recognition and affective symptoms. Conclusions: Patients with LGG reported substantial negative changes in sexual functioning and relationship quality and self-esteem after treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, whereas high levels of sexual self-consciousness were reported less frequently. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing sexual health in standard care for patients with LGG. By recognizing that patients with large tumor volumes and patients with alexithymia may be more vulnerable to sexual health problems, clinicians can provide more targeted support to improve sexual health in patients with LGG.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Buunk, A.M. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Apr 2026 11:47 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Apr 2026 11:47 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/6394 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |