Sexuality amongst heterosexual men with morbid obesity in a bariatric surgery programme: A qualitative study

José Granero‐Molina, María José Torrente‐Sánchez, Manuel Ferrer‐Márquez, José Manuel Hernández‐Padilla, Alicia Ruiz‐Muelle, Olga María López‐Entrambasaguas and Cayetano Fernández‐Sola

Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2020, vol. 29, issue 21-22, 4258-4269

Abstract: Aim and Objectives To describe and understand the experiences of sexuality amongst heterosexual men diagnosed with morbid obesity (MO) who are in a bariatric surgery programme. Background Morbid obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that affects men’s physical, psychological and sexual health. Evidence suggests that MO could be linked to anxiety, depression, low self‐esteem, sexual life and social disorders. Bariatric surgery is a reliable method for weight loss in patients with MO. Design This is a qualitative study based on Merleau‐Ponty’s phenomenology, and the COREQ checklist was employed to report on the current study. Methods Convenience and purposive sampling was carried out and included 24 in‐depth interviews with heterosexual men with MO in a bariatric surgery programme between October 2018–March 2019 in Spain. Results Two main themes emerged from the analysis: (a) a corporality which is judged and condemned; and (b) adapting sexual practices to bariatric surgery. Conclusions Men with MO reject a body that limits their physical, social and sexual life. A negative body image and low self‐esteem, which do not respond to the traditional masculine role or new masculinities, reduce men's self‐concept. Men with MO feel rejection, stigma and isolation. Support from their partner is fundamental to adapt. Relevance to clinical practice The results of the study draw attention to how heterosexual men with MO experience their sexuality in a bariatric surgery programme and the challenges nurses face. Recognising the problem, helping to develop coping strategies or referring to specialists in sexuality could improve the quality of life in patients and their partners.

Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15461

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:29:y:2020:i:21-22:p:4258-4269

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Journal of Clinical Nursing from John Wiley & Sons
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Wiley Content Delivery ().