Self-concept, social support and hysterectomy

This paper reports on part of a larger study financed by the DHSS and concerned with describing recovery from hysterectomy and evaluating an experimental counselling session aimed at helping women to plan and manage their own recovery. The effect of the operation on the woman's self-concept and the possible role of social support in the recovery process are the principal foci. Contrary to findings in much previous research, women in this study showed no evidence of adverse changes in self-concept, depression levels were reduced after operation, and the majority of women were glad to have had a hysterectomy. Low levels of support from partner, family and friends were associated with poorer outcome on some of the indicators used, and possible explanations for this are considered.