Abstract : BACKGROUND Sexual violence and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been linked to increased r
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Abstract : BACKGROUND Sexual violence and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been linked to increased reports of distress and pain during the pelvic examination. Efforts to more fully characterize these reactions and identify core factors (i.e. beliefs about the examination) that may influence these reactions are warranted.|AIMS This descriptive cross-sectional study examines the relationship between sexual violence PTSD and womens negative reactions to the pelvic examination. Additional analyses highlight how maladaptive beliefs about the safety necessity and utility of the pelvic examination may contribute to these reactions. Materials and|METHODS A total of 165 eligible women veterans were identified via medical record review and mailed a survey that assessed (1) background information (2) history of sexual violence (3) current symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (4) fear embarrassment distress and pain during the pelvic examination and (5) core beliefs about the examination. Ninety women (55 response rate) completed the survey.|RESULTS Women with both sexual violence and PTSD reported the highest levels of examination related fear chi(2) = 18.8 p lt .001 embarrassment chi(2) = 21.2 p lt .001 and distress chi(2) = 18.2 p lt .001. Beliefs that the examination was unnecessary or unsafe or not useful were more commonly reported in this group and were associated with higher levels of examination-related fear and embarrassment.|CONCLUSION: Women with sexual violence and PTSD find the pelvic examination distressing, embarrassing, and frightening. Efforts to develop interventions to help reduce distress during the examination are warranted.|
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