Self concept and mastectomy

The body image and self-concept in two groups of women is described with the use of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS). Twenty-three women 40--60 years of age having unilateral mastectomies within the preceeding 46-month period, volunteered to be tested. Women without mastectomies but similar in age and socioeconomic status formed a comparison sample of 23. No significant differences in self-concept or body image were found between the two groups. The paired sample (study and comparison groups) was noted to be similar to TSCS elderly profiles for these subscales. It was suggested that self-concept and body image, whether one had undergone mastectomy or not, probably is fairly stable at this time in life for women.