Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Greimel, ER; Dorfer, M; Schaffer, M; Winter, R.
Medical and Psychological Symptoms of Sexually Abused Females
GEBURTSH FRAUENHEILK 1999 59: 180-186.
Doi: 10.1055/s-1999-14185
Web of Science
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- Führende Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
- Greimel Elfriede Renate
- Co-Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
- Winter Raimund
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- Abstract:
- In recent years sexual abuse against females has become a widely discussed issue. Consequently, the number of incidence reported has increased significantly. The first professional contact for sexually abused females is often the gynaecologist, where sexual abuse is observed by physical diagnosis. However, the psychological trauma is often the greater problem and requires psychological assessment. In this study 50 females (28 adults, 22 miners) reporting traumatic sexual experience were examined in the outpatient clinic of the Department of Gynaecology. Subjects underwent psychological and gynaecological assessment. The medical examination revealed evidence of sexual abuse in only 5% of women and 16% of minor aged females; 20% and 18% respectively showed unspecific gynaecological symptoms. The vast majority of the subjects (77% adults, 65% miners) had no gynaecological problems. According to the results of the psychological examination, 60% of the adults and 50% of the minor aged females showed symptoms characteristic of a posttraumatic stress disorder; 20% and 48% respectively reported on unspecific psychological symptoms. Only 20% of the adults and 2% of the miners showed no evidence of a psychological trauma. During psychological evaluation, adult women reported symptoms of anxiety, chronic pelvic pain without anatomical abnormalities, gastro-intestinal problems, depression, feelings of guilt, sleeping disorders, and helplessness. Identified psychological health problems in minor females were sleeping disorders including nightmares, enuresis, head and stomach aches, anxiety, concentration problems, depressive symptoms, compulsive masturbation and feelings of guilt. These results highlight the usefulness of psychodiagnostic evaluations of abused females. Gynaecological examination often overlooks the psychological trauma experienced by victims of abuse. Psychological interventions in gynaecological settings are important to help females in coping with posttraumatic stress disorders.