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Social Concerns of Post-Mastectomy Women: Stigmata and Clothing

Dept. of Textile and Apparel Management, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211

Margaret Rucker

Dept. of Textiles and Clothing, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616

Susan B. Kaiser

Dept. of Textiles and Clothing, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616

This paper explains post-mastectomy women's use of clothing as a method of coping with the negative social connotations of malignancy and disfigurement. We suggest that to avoid being stigmatized, post-mastectomy women employ techniques of "covering/passing" as described by Goffman (1963). The data on clothing concerns and strategies were obtained from post-mastectomy women using mail questionnaires and personal interviews. Attributes of clothing that were problematic included bust emphasis, shoulder bareness, and lack of sleeves. Respondents also reported difficulties with back closures. Attitudes to ward sexuality and concealment were examined along with attitudes toward ap pearance satisfaction as related to the most problematic garments-swimwear and nightwear. Attitudes toward sexuality were significantly related to concerns about presenting a good appearance in both swimwear and nightwear, whereas atti tudes toward concealment were only significantly related to concerns about nightwear.

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