Psychosexual counseling of the mastectomy patient.

A pilot research study is described, aimed at investigating the hypotheses that psychosexual factors are of central importance in the psychological recovery of the mastectomy patient and that counseling would prove beneficial. Forty-one women were interviewed. Results indicated (1) that sexual self-concept superseded mortality as the primary concern of most recovery mastectomy patients, (2) that the attitude of the partner--husband or lover--was crucial to that self-concept, (3) that most partners were eager to help, and (4) that psychosexual counseling was welcomed and found to be appropriate. Resistances to the execution of the study are also described.