A Comparative Study of Somatic Preoccupation, Bodily Compulsion, Alexithymia, Self-Concept and Sexual Desire among Breast Cancer Survivors and Healthy Controls

Author(s)	Ms. SINJINI BOSE, Dr. Soheli Datta
Country	India
Abstract	The study examined differences in sexual desire, alexithymia, self-concept, somatic preoccupation, and bodily compulsion between breast cancer survivors and healthy controls. The sample included 92 participants (42 survivors and 50 controls) matched by age and gender. Standardized tools such as the SDI, TAS-20, SCQ, PHQ-15, and BDD-YBOCS were administered, and data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, correlations, and t-tests. Results showed that breast cancer survivors had significantly higher alexithymia, somatic preoccupation, and bodily compulsions, and lower sexual desire and self-concept than healthy controls. Somatic preoccupation correlated positively with alexithymia and bodily compulsions. The findings highlight the need for psychosomatic and emotional interventions such as CBT, MBSR, ACT, SEGT, sexual health counseling, and supportive therapies to enhance survivors’ wellbeing.
Keywords	Breast Cancer Survivors, Sexual Desire, Alexithymia, Somatic Preoccupation, Self Concept
Field	Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-11-22
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.60564
Short DOI	https://doi.org/hbb78h

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