ArticleHernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery2025
The impact of Abdominal Wall Hernia (AWH) on patients' social and sexual relationships: a Qualitative Analysis.
Article in Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Patient narratives in an online hernia peer-support community: a qualitative netnographic analysis.Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery · 2026Article
- Incisional hernia and the risk of incident depression: a population-based propensity score-matched cohort study.Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery · 2026Article
- Novel insights into abdominal wall hernia (AWH) and its negative impact on patients' finances: "Doing my job was pretty impossible".Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery · 2026Article
- "I just can't do that anymore": a qualitative exploration of symptoms and function in patients living with abdominal wall hernia (AWH).Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery · 2025Article
- Enhancing the Utility of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) Assessment Tools in Abdominal Wall Hernia (AWH) Surgery Through Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Framework Proposal.Journal of abdominal wall surgery : JAWS · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAbdominal Wall Hernia (AWH) impacts interpersonal relationships, which are vital to human wellbeing [1, 2], however social and sexual dimensions of AWH remain underexplored. This study investigates the impact of AWH on social disconnection and sexual intimacy challenges, and how this could be viably assessed in health related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment tools.
methodsA qualitative approach using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed [3]. Fifteen participants (8 men and 7 women, aged 36-85 years) were purposively sampled. Data collected via semi-structured interviews was analysed iteratively until no new themes emerged [4].
resultsAWH significantly impacted participants' interpersonal relationships, mainly through 'difficulties in connecting socially' and 'changes in sexual relationships'. Participants' social withdrawal was driven by physical limitations, altered self-perception, and stigma, leading to loneliness and reduced engagement. Changes in sexual relationships were shaped by pain, body image concerns, and perceived sexual pressure, often diminishing physical intimacy. Despite these challenges, emotional intimacy frequently persisted, largely due to empathetic and supportive partners. Postoperative improvements were highlighted as pivotal in restoring body confidence and intimacy.
conclusionsThis study illustrates the profound social and sexual disruptions AWH causes. These effects should be included in holistic and patient centred care, and incorporated into HRQoL assessment tools. Preoperative counselling should include issues of social connection and intimacy, whilst postoperative care should integrate structured support networks, psychoeducational interventions, and psychosexual counselling. Future research should pilot, revise and test the effectiveness of such measures.
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