Skip to main content

Table 3 Q-set statements and factor array

From: Constructions of sex and intimacy after cancer: Q methodology study of people with cancer, their partners, and health professionals

 

Factor

Item

 

1

2

3

1

People with cancer are sexually unattractive

−3

−3

−3

2

People with cancer don’t have any sexual desires

−3

−3

0

3

Partners of people with cancer can lose their interest in sex

+2

0

+1

4

People with cancer do not have the energy for sex

+1

−1

+2

5

People with cancer should focus on recovery and survival rather than on their sexual relationship

−2

0

+2

6

The sexual relationship is the last thing on a couple’s mind when one of them has cancer

−1

−1

+2

7

Cancer doesn’t remove the sense of duty that couples share in their sexual relationship

+1

+1

−1

8

Fear of hurting someone with cancer during sex stops partners from having a sexual relationship with them

+2

0

+1

9

A person would feel disgusted with themselves for having sex with a person with cancer

−2

−4

−3

10

Once someone is seen as a “patient”, they can’t be seen as a sexual partner

−3

−4

−3

11

There isn’t anything sexy about caring for someone with cancer

−1

−1

+1

12

People should always make time for sex even if they have cancer

−1

+2

−1

13

Intimacy means more than just sex

+5

+4

+5

14

Cancer can bring couples closer in their intimate relationship

+2

+3

+3

15

Just being held may be all that the person with cancer wants

+4

+3

+5

16

Cancer results in greater affection between partners

0

+2

+1

17

When a person is diagnosed with cancer, sex becomes taboo

0

−5

−3

18

Partners of people with cancer would feel guilty if they initiate sex

+1

−3

+2

19

Partners of people with cancer should feel guilty for having sexual needs

−3

−3

−2

20

Sex should be a low priority in the context of cancer

−2

−2

+2

21

Only cancer involving “sexual” body parts (e.g. testicles, breast, prostate, cervix) affects a sexual relationship

−3

−1

−3

22

Sex can no longer be spontaneous after the onset of cancer

−2

−2

0

23

Partners who care for a person with cancer are too tired for sex

0

−2

−1

24

Having sex with someone with cancer may hurt them

−1

0

0

25

It would be embarrassing for a person with cancer to ask their partner to have sex differently

0

−2

−2

26

A partner wouldn’t bring up the idea of using a sex toy for fear of hurting the feelings of the person with cancer

0

−1

0

27

A partner should be able to talk about their sexual needs to a person with cancer

+3

+4

0

28

A person with cancer should be able to talk about their sexual needs to their partner

+3

+5

+3

29

Open communication between people with cancer and their partner is important to a satisfying sexual relationship

+4

+5

+4

30

It’s important that health care professionals discuss the affect of cancer on the sexual relationship with partners of people with cancer

+4

+2

0

31

The sexual relationships of people with cancer are too personal an issue for health care professionals to discuss

−4

−2

−2

32

The sexual relationship between a couple is a private matter

0

+1

+3

33

Health care professionals should discuss with people with cancer how cancer affects their sexual relationship

+4

+2

0

34

Sex therapy is as important as other therapies a person receives for cancer

+2

+2

2

35

If people with cancer and their partner cannot have sexual intercourse, they find other ways to be sexually intimate

+3

+3

+3

36

If people with cancer and their partner cannot have a sexual relationship, their relationship is over

−4

−4

−4

37

Real sex is penetrative sexual intercourse

−4

−1

−4

38

It is okay for people with cancer and their partner to masturbate for sexual pleasure

+3

+4

+3

39

Sexual aides keep a sexual relationship alive for people with cancer and their partner

+1

+1

2

40

Physical changes that result from cancer would make you feel less confident about sex

+2

+1

+1

41

If a man with cancer can’t get an erection, there is no point in being intimate

−4

−4

−4

42

If a woman with cancer can’t get aroused, there is no point in being intimate

−2

−2

−1

43

Once you’ve lost control of your bodily functions, it’s hard to think about sex

+2

+1

+4

44

Partners would feel rejected if the person with cancer doesn’t want to have sex

+1

0

−1

45

People with cancer should not be burdened by the sexual needs of their partner

−1

0

+2

46

It is depression that ends the sexual relationship in couples dealing with cancer

−1

+1

−1

47

The sexual relationship goes up and down with the rollercoaster of emotions experienced during cancer

+3

+2

+4

48

Sex is good for dealing with the anxiety that comes with cancer

+1

+3

−1

49

You shouldn’t have sex with someone while they are receiving chemotherapy

−2

−1

0

50

If you have sex with someone with cancer, there is a real risk of catching it

−5

−5

−5

51

You can’t spread cancer through sex

+5

+3

+4

52

In the early stages of cancer, it’s important to maintain a sexual relationship to keep things normal

0

+4

−2

53

A sexual relationship is key to maintaining a good quality of life during the advanced stages of cancer

−1

+1

−4

54

Sex can make cancer worse

−5

−3

−5

55

Sex can’t be pleasurable if you’re experiencing pain

+1

0

+1

56

Cancer makes parts of the body off limits

0

0

+1

  1. Bolded scores are for statements with normalized factor scores ≥±1.4 indicating the most powerful exemplars for each factor.