C. Mert1, İ. Çavdar2
1 Department of Surgical Nursing, Institute of Graduate Studies, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye2 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, İstanbul Atlas University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Summary
Background: Mastectomy, though often essential in the treatment of breast cancer, can deeply unsettle how women view their bodies, confidence, and sexuality. Breast reconstruction, while it does not change survival outcomes, is widely valued for helping restore a sense of wholeness and emotional well-being. Objective: This study aimed to describe levels of self esteem and quality of sexual life among women who underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy and examine the relationship between these two psychosocial outcomes. Methods: Seventy-one women who had undergone breast reconstruction at the Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Istanbul were included in the study. Participants completed a demographic survey, the sexual quality of life–female questionnaire (SQOL-F), and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES). Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests, correlation, and multiple regression. Results: Self-esteem and sexual quality of life were strongly related (strong negative correlation, r = –0.73; P < 0.001); this means that women with lower RSES scores (indicating higher self-esteem) tended to report better sexual well-being. Those who underwent autologous reconstruction had higher SQOL scores (b = 24.33; P < 0.001) and significantly lower RSES scores (b = –1.47; P < 0.001), where the negative unstandardized regression coefficient denotes greater self-esteem, compared with women with implant reconstruction. Conclusion: Autologous reconstruction was associated with more favorable psychosocial outcomes than implant-based reconstruction in this sample. These findings underscore the importance of addressing body image and sexual well-being in post-mastectomy care, particularly in health systems where reconstruction is not routinely available. Integrating structured psychosocial support and culturally responsive counseling into postoperative care may further enhance recovery and quality of life for women undergoing reconstruction.
Key words
breast reconstruction – mastectomy – self-esteem – sexual life
Mert C, Çavdar İ. Self-esteem and quality of sexual life in women undergoing breast reconstruction due to mastectomy: a cross-sectional study in a non-European setting. Acta Chir Plast 2026; 68 (1–2): 6–13.