Cancer-related masculinity threat in young adults with testicular cancer: the moderating role of benefit finding

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Perceiving benefit from a health-related stressor such as cancer has been associated with better psychological adjustment in various cancer populations; however, it has not been studied in the context of young adulthood or gender-related cancer threat. This study investigated the role of benefit finding in psychological adjustment among young adults with testicular cancer, and whether BF moderates cancer-related masculine threat. DESIGN: This study utilizes a cross-sectional design with a diverse sample of young adult testicular cancer survivors. METHODS: Men with a history of testicular cancer (N = 171; M age = 25.2, SD = 3.32) completed questionnaires of benefit finding, cancer-related masculine threat, and indicators of psychological adjustment. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed that cancer-related masculine threat was associated with worse adjustment across indicators and that benefit finding was related to higher positive affect and lower depressive symptoms. Benefit finding attenuated the potentially adverse effect of cancer-related masculine threat on negative affect and depressive symptoms such that cancer-related masculine threat demonstrated a stronger association with negative affect and depressive symptoms for people with relatively low BF. CONCLUSIONS: For young adult men with testicular cancer, finding benefit appears to promote well-being in the face of masculine cancer threat.