Lived experiences of social alienation among Chinese women with gynecologic malignancies: a descriptive...

To explore the lived experiences of social alienation among Chinese women with gynecologic malignancies and identify the meanings they attached to social withdrawal and reconnection.

This descriptive phenomenological study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou, China, in April 2025. Twelve women with histopathologically confirmed gynecologic malignancies were recruited through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological method.

Three themes and eight subthemes were identified. Participants described withdrawing from others to protect a threatened identity, including concealing the illness to avoid attention and restricting daily movement and social contact. They also described living in a body that feels changed and exposed, reflected in physical exhaustion and functional limits, changes in appearance and anticipated judgment, and concerns about family reputation and financial strain. Finally, they expressed a desire for understanding and a return to normal life, including feeling misunderstood in relationships and work and seeking work, normality, and meaningful connection. Across accounts, social alienation appeared to arise from the interaction of symptom burden, visible treatment effects, anticipated social judgment, practical constraints, and limited opportunities for understanding and support.

Social alienation among women with gynecologic malignancies is a multidimensional experience shaped by bodily change, social responses, and practical barriers to participation. Supportive care should include psychosocial assessment, family-informed communication, peer support, and individualized assistance with social and occupational reintegration.