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Molero-Zafra M, Fernández-García O, Mitjans-Lafont MT, Pérez-Marín M, Hernández-Jiménez MJ. Psychological intervention in women victims of childhood sexual abuse: a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing EMDR psychotherapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1360388. [PMID: 38868491 PMCID: PMC11167727 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1360388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Childhood sexual abuse persists as a painful societal reality, necessitating responses from institutions and healthcare professionals to prevent and address its severe long-term consequences in victims. This study implements an intervention comprising two psychotherapeutic approaches recommended by the WHO and international clinical guidelines for addressing short-, medium-, and long-term posttraumatic symptomatology: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both approaches are adapted from group formats for implementation in small online groups via Zoom. Methods The impact of both therapeutic approaches on trauma improvement was assessed in a sample of 19 women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse through a Randomized Clinical Trial comparing EMDR Psychotherapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy after a baseline period. Intra and inter comparison were made using statistics appropriate to the sample. Results Both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced symptomatology across various evaluated variables, suggesting their efficacy in improving the quality of life for these individuals. Following CBT-FT treatment, patients exhibited enhanced emotional regulation, reduced reexperiencing, and avoidance. The EMDR group, utilizing the G-TEP group protocol, significantly improved dissociation, along with other crucial clinical variables and the perception of quality of life. Discussion Although the limitations of this study must be taken into account due to the size of the sample and the lack of long-term follow-up, the results align with existing scientific literature, underscoring the benefits of trauma-focused psychological treatments. The online group format appears promising for enhancing the accessibility of psychological treatment for these women. Furthermore, the differential outcomes of each treatment support recent research advocating for the inclusion of both approaches for individuals with trauma-related symptomatology. Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Valencian International University (VIU) (Valencia, Spain) (Ref. CEID2021_07). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to the scientific community. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04813224, identifier NCT04813224.
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Landa-Blanco M, Vásquez G, Portillo G, Sproviero F, Echenique Y. The impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol consumption in adulthood. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1352824. [PMID: 38659462 PMCID: PMC11039929 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1352824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to determine how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) relate to adulthood flourishing, symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, self-reported health, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol consumption. A quantitative cross-sectional methodology was used. A total of 452 adults completed the survey. The most prevalent ACE include physical abuse (44.69%), separation/divorce of parents (41.81%), living with someone with alcohol problems (39.38%), and being sworn, insulted, or humiliated by adults at home (35.62%). Almost one out of every four respondents (24.34%) reported being touched by an adult, 17.92% reported that an adult tried to manipulate the respondent into touching them, and 8.19% were forced to have sexual intercourse. Results indicate that women reported a higher number of ACE than men. The number of ACE is inversely related to flourishing and self-reported health; while being positively associated with participant's scores in depression, anxiety, somatization, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol use. The regression model, including the eleven ACE and respondents' sex and age, achieved medium effect sizes for somatization, depression, and anxiety symptoms and small effect sizes for flourishing, self-reported health, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol consumption. Specific ACE have a particularly significant negative impact on mental health outcomes: forced intercourse, witnessing familial violence, verbal humiliation, and living with individuals struggling with mental health issues and drug consumption or who were incarcerated. In conclusion, the study highlights the alarming prevalence of ACE among the Honduran population and their significant negative impact on mental health outcomes during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Landa-Blanco
- School of Psychological Sciences, National Autonomous University of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
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Iloson C, Praetorius Björk M, Möller A, Sundfeldt K, Bernhardsson S. Awareness of somatisation disorder among Swedish physicians at emergency departments: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:223. [PMID: 38515091 PMCID: PMC10958883 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05652-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somatisation is a highly prevalent psychiatric syndrome in both women and men, in which psychological distress is manifested in physical symptoms without a medical explanation. Many patients with somatisation disorder are high healthcare utilisers, particularly at emergency departments. Unnecessary investigations and diagnostic operations occur frequently, which cause both patient suffering and a significant burden on the healthcare system. Emergency department physicians' awareness of somatisation and its manifestations has not previously been studied. This study aimed to investigate awareness about somatisation disorder among physicians working at emergency departments in western Sweden, and to explore differences between gender, specialty, and work experience. METHODS A web-based, cross-sectional survey consisting of six dichotomous questions about somatisation disorder was conducted, in December 2021 - January 2022, among licensed physicians of various specialties working at emergency departments in western Sweden. Descriptive analyses and comparative analyses were performed to investigate differences between gender, type of specialty, and years of practice. Data were analysed using chi2 tests and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS Of the 526 eligible physicians who received the survey, 241 responded; response rate 45.8%. The majority of the respondents (56.4%) were women, and most (35.3%) were specialised in obstetrics/gynaecology. Average years of work experience was 11.1 (SD 8.7) years. Although 71% of respondents were aware of the diagnosis, only 7% knew the diagnostic criteria and only 6% had ever diagnosed a patient with somatisation disorder. Female physicians were more aware of underlying factors than their male colleagues (55.7% vs. 38.2%; p = .010). Type of specialty or years of practice did not affect awareness. CONCLUSIONS Awareness of somatisation disorder is low among physicians working at emergency departments in western Sweden. The findings suggest a need to increase awareness and knowledge and provide training in diagnosing the condition, to ensure correct decisions and optimal patient management. Clinical guidelines need to be developed to support diagnosis, investigation, and treatment, in Sweden as well as internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Iloson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Science, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Region Västra Götaland Competence Centre on Intimate Partner Violence, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Masthugget Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Marcus Praetorius Björk
- Research, Education, Development and Innovation, Region Västra Götaland, Primary Health Care, Gothenburg, Sweden
- General Practice/Family medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Möller
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stockholm South Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Sundfeldt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Science, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Department of Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Bernhardsson
- Research, Education, Development and Innovation, Region Västra Götaland, Primary Health Care, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Unit of Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Jacobsen SA, Frostholm L, Buhmann CB, Petersen MW, Ørnbøl E, Dantoft TM, Bjerregaard AA, Eplov LF, Carstensen TBW. Are Sexual Assaults Related to Functional Somatic Disorders? A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6947. [PMID: 37887685 PMCID: PMC10606494 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20206947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of sexual assaults (SAs) are being reported. This study investigated associations between SA and FSD, conceptualized as bodily distress syndrome (BDS), and five functional somatic syndromes (FSSs): chronic widespread pain (CWP), irritable bowel (IB), chronic fatigue (CF), multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), and whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). Participants (n = 7493) from the population-based cohort Danish Study of Functional Disorders (DanFunD) completed questionnaires on FSD, emotional distress, SA, and sociodemographics. Risk ratios (RRs) for each FSD and emotional distress were calculated in nine models with SA as the primary exposure using generalized linear models with binomial family and log link and were adjusted for other potential risk factors. The results showed that SA was associated with single-organ FSD (RR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.22-1.87), multi-organ FSD (RR = 3.51; 95% CI = 1.89-6.49), CWP (RR = 1.28; 95% CI = 0.83-1.98), IB (RR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.30-3.07), CF (RR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.42-2.32), WAD (RR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.37-5.03), MCS (RR = 3.04; 95% CI = 1.79-5.17), emotional distress (RR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.21-2.54), and health anxiety (RR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.10-2.46). Overall, SA victims experienced significantly more somatic symptoms than individuals not exposed to SA. Adjusting for physical and emotional abuse did not change the observed associations. Our results suggest a large impact of SA on the overall somatic and mental health of SA victims. Due to the cross-sectional study design, further studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Abildgaard Jacobsen
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (L.F.); (M.W.P.); (E.Ø.); (T.B.W.C.)
| | - Lisbeth Frostholm
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (L.F.); (M.W.P.); (E.Ø.); (T.B.W.C.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Marie Weinreich Petersen
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (L.F.); (M.W.P.); (E.Ø.); (T.B.W.C.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Eva Ørnbøl
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (L.F.); (M.W.P.); (E.Ø.); (T.B.W.C.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Thomas Meinertz Dantoft
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Capital Region of Denmark, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (T.M.D.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Anne Ahrendt Bjerregaard
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Capital Region of Denmark, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (T.M.D.); (A.A.B.)
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institute, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lene Falgaard Eplov
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health—CORE (Eplov), Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Tina Birgitte Wisbech Carstensen
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (L.F.); (M.W.P.); (E.Ø.); (T.B.W.C.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Beranbaum S, D'Andrea W. Trauma-Informed Yoga: A Capacity Building and Wellness Strengthening Intervention for Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and Affiliative Staff. Violence Against Women 2023:10778012231203002. [PMID: 37743664 DOI: 10.1177/10778012231203002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
This evaluation examines the impacts of Exhale to Inhale's trauma-informed yoga (TIY) on stress, somatic complaints, and self-efficacy among female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and affiliated staff in community-based domestic violence agencies. A two-phase study design was employed, the first of which collected data from in-person group classes and the second from remotely taught classes due to COVID-19 safety restrictions. Collected over 3 years, 526 female survivors (n = 361) and staff (n = 165) from 66 domestic violence agencies completed surveys revealing improved stress, somatic complaints, and self-efficacy following a single TIY session. TIY serves as a capacity-building intervention that is suitable and adaptable for survivors of IPV and the staff at domestic violence agencies.
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Alarcon-Rodriguez R, Fernández-Sola C, García-Alvarez R, Fadul-Calderón R, Ruiz-Ortiz A, Requena-Mullor M, Garcia-Gonzalez J. Experiences of Dyspareunia in Dominican Women with a History of Sexual Abuse: A Phenomenological Study. J Midwifery Womens Health 2023; 68:637-644. [PMID: 37288822 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dyspareunia refers to painful sexual intercourse that negatively affects a person's psychological well-being and quality of life and can also have an impact on their partner, family, and social circle. The objective of this study was to understand the experiences of women with dyspareunia and a history of sexual abuse in the Dominican Republic. METHODS This was a qualitative study based on Merleau-Ponty's hermeneutic phenomenology. Fifteen women with a diagnosis of dyspareunia and a history of sexual abuse participated. The study was carried out in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. RESULTS In-depth interviews were conducted for data collection. Through inductive analysis using ATLAS.ti, 3 main themes were developed that represent women's experiences of dyspareunia and sexual abuse: (1) a history of sexual abuse as a background to dyspareunia, (2) living in fear in a society that revictimizes the survivor, and (3) the sexual consequences of dyspareunia. DISCUSSION In some Dominican women, dyspareunia stems from their history of sexual abuse, which was unknown to their families and partners. The participants experienced dyspareunia in silence and found it difficult to seek help from health care professionals. In addition, their sexual health was marked by fear and physical pain. There are individual, cultural, and social factors that influence the occurrence of dyspareunia; a better understanding of these factors is vital for planning innovative preventive strategies that reduce the progression of sexual dysfunction and its impact on the quality of life of people with dyspareunia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Alarcon-Rodriguez
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Cayetano Fernández-Sola
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Rafael García-Alvarez
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Human Sexuality Institute, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Rosario Fadul-Calderón
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Human Sexuality Institute, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Antonio Ruiz-Ortiz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Human Sexuality Institute, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Mar Requena-Mullor
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Jessica Garcia-Gonzalez
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
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Hillcoat A, Prakash J, Martin L, Zhang Y, Rosa G, Tiemeier H, Torres N, Mustieles V, Adams CD, Messerlian C. Trauma and female reproductive health across the lifecourse: motivating a research agenda for the future of women's health. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:1429-1444. [PMID: 37172265 PMCID: PMC10391316 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The aetiology behind many female reproductive disorders is poorly studied and incompletely understood despite the prevalence of such conditions and substantial burden they impose on women's lives. In light of evidence demonstrating a higher incidence of trauma exposure in women with many such disorders, we present a set of interlinked working hypotheses proposing relationships between traumatic events and reproductive and mental health that can define a research agenda to better understand reproductive outcomes from a trauma-informed perspective across the lifecourse. Additionally, we note the potential for racism to act as a traumatic experience, highlight the importance of considering the interaction between mental and reproductive health concerns, and propose several neuroendocrinological mechanisms by which traumatic experiences might increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in these domains. Finally, we emphasize the need for future primary research investigating the proposed pathways between traumatic experiences and adverse female reproductive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Hillcoat
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jaya Prakash
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leah Martin
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriela Rosa
- Office of Educational Programs, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole Torres
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs GRANADA, Granada, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Charleen D Adams
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carmen Messerlian
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Boston, MA, USA
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Khakkar M, Kazemi A. Relationship between mental health and climacteric adjustment in middle aged women: a confirmatory analysis. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:234. [PMID: 37149575 PMCID: PMC10164310 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02397-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climacteric changes in women are associated with an increased probability of psychological symptoms. Identifying the relationship between adjustment to this period and mental health helps to plan for middle-aged women's health improvement. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between climacteric adjustment (CA) and mental health in middle aged women. METHOD This cross-sectional study was conducted on 190 women aged 40 to 53 years. Mental health symptoms (including hypochondriasis, anxiety, depression, and social impairment) and CA were assessed using 28-item general health questionnaire and the CA questionnaire, respectively, as a self-report. Data were analyzed using linear and stepwise regression methods, and the fitting of the resulting conceptual model was assessed using AMOS software. RESULTS The results showed that hypochondriasis score and social impairment, anxiety level and CA in the perfection dimension, and social impairment score and CA in perfection, decline in beauty, and sexual silence dimensions had an inverse relationship. Moreover, the relationship between anxiety score and CA in the reaction to end of menstruation and the relationship between social impairment and decline of femininity were positive and significant. Factor analysis of the conceptual model obtained from the study results demonstrated a good model fit (CMIN /DF = 0.807, P = .671). CONCLUSION The results showed a relationship between CA and psychological symptoms in middle-aged women. In other words, the level of hypochondriasis, anxiety, and social impairment symptoms decreased with increasing CA in sexual silence, perfection, and decline in beauty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maedeh Khakkar
- Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ashraf Kazemi
- Reproductive Health Departments, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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Selai C, Elmalem MS, Chartier-Kastler E, Sassoon N, Hewitt S, Rocha MF, Klitsinari L, Panicker JN. Systematic review exploring the relationship between sexual abuse and lower urinary tract symptoms. Int Urogynecol J 2023; 34:635-653. [PMID: 35751671 PMCID: PMC9947020 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-022-05277-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS Patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may report a history of sexual abuse (SA), and survivors of SA may report LUTS; however, the nature of the relationship is poorly understood. The aim of this review is to systematically evaluate studies that explore LUT dysfunction in survivors of SA. METHODS A systematic literature search of six databases, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, and PsycINFO, was performed. The last search date was June 2021 (PROSPERO CRD42019122080). Studies reporting the prevalence and symptoms of LUTS in patients who have experienced SA were included. The literature was appraised according to the PRISMA statement. The quality of the studies was assessed. RESULTS Out of 272 papers retrieved, 18 publications met the inclusion criteria: studies exploring LUTS in SA survivors (n=2), SA in patients attending clinics for their LUTs (n=8), and cross-sectional studies (n=8). SA prevalence ranged between 1.3% and 49.6%. A history of SA was associated with psychosocial stressors, depression, and anxiety. LUTS included urinary storage symptoms, voiding difficulties, voluntary holding of urine and urinary tract infections. Most studies were of moderate quality. Assessment of SA and LUTS lacked standardisation. CONCLUSIONS The review highlights the need for a holistic assessment of patients presenting with LUTS. Although most of the studies were rated as being of 'moderate' quality, the evidence suggests the need to provide a "safe space" in clinic for patients to share sensitive information about trauma. Any such disclosure should be followed up with further assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Selai
- UCL Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
- Department of Uro-Neurology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.
| | - Michael S Elmalem
- UCL Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- UCL Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Emmanuel Chartier-Kastler
- Department of Urology, Academic Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Medical School, Sorbonne University, AP-HP, 47-83, Bd de l'Hôpital, 75651, Paris cedex 13, France
| | - Natalia Sassoon
- UCL Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sam Hewitt
- UCL Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Maria Francisca Rocha
- UCL Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Larisa Klitsinari
- UCL Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Jalesh N Panicker
- Department of Uro-Neurology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
- UCL Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
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Akça S, Gençöz F. The Experience of Disgust in Women Exposed to Domestic Violence in Turkey. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP14538-NP14563. [PMID: 33926278 DOI: 10.1177/08862605211013953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In trauma, fear as a basic emotion that evokes avoidance after exposure to a traumatic event is important for posttraumatic process. Another emotion causing avoidance is disgust. Despite the fact that disgust also plays an important role in trauma, there is limited information about how it is experienced during and after exposure to the traumatic event. In this study, the aim was to understand how women experience disgust during and after domestic violence, as a prolonged and repeated traumatic experience, and how they try to cope with disgust evoking situations in this process. For this aim, qualitative methodology was used. With purposive sampling, six women exposed to domestic violence including physical, verbal and sexual abuse were interviewed. With each woman, approximately seven semi-structured interviews were completed. Forty-one interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data was analyzed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. At the end of the analysis, three superordinate themes, namely, experience of perpetrator-directed disgust with gustatory expressions of moral disgust and association of disgust in domestic abuse to daily life experiences; experience of self-disgust with two themes of internalization of assault without awareness and contamination by sexual abuse; coping with disgust in domestic violence with four subthemes, namely, avoidance from perpetrator, reidentification of the perpetrator with substitutive identity, alienation from self, reidentification of self with new relationships were constructed. Results showed that disgust is experienced in a repressed way as a result of the aversive nature of traumatic experience. The results were evaluated in psychological, social and cultural contexts. Their implications for understanding disgust in domestic violence were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Faruk Gençöz
- Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
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11
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Becker DR, Welch B, Monti E, Sullivan H, Helou LB. Investigating Past Trauma in Laryngoresponders Versus Non-Laryngoresponders: Piloting New Methods in an Exploratory Study. J Voice 2022:S0892-1997(22)00144-8. [PMID: 35701254 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS This exploratory pilot study aimed to probe the relationship between past experiences of trauma in people who self-identify as "laryngoresponders" compared to those who do not. It also explored the communicative context of past traumatic events in laryngoresponders versus non-laryngoresponders. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, within-subjects experimental design. METHODS 29 vocally healthy cisgender women (ages 19 to 56) completed a battery of validated self-report measures relating to their past traumatic experiences. Participants also completed two original self-report measures designed to provide insight about (1) where stress tends to manifest in their body and (2) communicative settings of participants' past trauma. RESULTS Six participants (21%) self-identified a predictable laryngeal and/or vocal response to acute stress and thus comprise the laryngoresponders group. Laryngoresponders exhibited worse scores on 75% of all trauma-related variables compared to non-laryngoresponders, and Emotional Neglect was disproportionately represented in laryngoresponders. Participants with a reported history of childhood Emotional Neglect (83% of laryngoresponders, 35% of nonlaryngoresponders) reported quantitatively "less ideal" communication experiences in the context of past traumatic experiences. CONCLUSIONS Other investigators identify the larynx as a "vulnerable body pathway" for some women. This pilot study of adult women without voice complaints revealed several commonalities amongst self-reported laryngoresponders, and compels further exploration of the voice-trauma relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brett Welch
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Elisa Monti
- Department of Psychology, The New School, New York City, New York
| | | | - Leah B Helou
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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