Introduction: Sexual problems in breast cancer patients with a history of mastectomy are an issue that impairs their quality of life and is associated with an increase in medical and health costs. The present study aimed to predict sexual function based on the dimensions of mindfulness (trait, relational, and sexual) and the mediating role of body image in women with breast cancer who have undergone mastectomy.
Materials and Methods: This correlational descriptive research was conducted in 2023-2024. The sample included 181 married patients with mastectomy surgery who were selected using convenience method. Sexual Mindfulness Measure (SMM), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Relationship Mindfulness Measure (RMM), and Marital Sexual Function Scale (MSFS) were used to investigate the research objectives. Sampling was conducted both online and in person. The SPSS (version 25) and R software were used for data analysis. The data were analyzed in the descriptive section using mean, frequency, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation coefficient, and in the inferential statistics section using structural equation modeling.
Results: The results showed that the proposed model has a good fit. Moreover, the two dimensions of sexual and relational mindfulness directly predicted marital sexual functioning (P<0.01). Additionally, the two dimensions of relational and sexual mindfulness with the mediating role of body image could significantly predict sexual function in married women with a history of mastectomy (P<0.01).
Conclusion: To enhance the sexual function of patients, therapists are recommended to focus on components such as sexual mindfulness, relational mindfulness, and body image.
