Mental health problems associated with female genital mutilation
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Authors
Knipscheer, Jeroen
Vloeberghs, Erick
Kwaak, Anke van der
Muijsenbergh, Maria van den
Issue Date
2015-12
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Mental Health Problems , Female Genital Mutilation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Aims and method:
To study the mental health status of 66 genitally mutilated immigrant women originating from Africa (i.e. Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea and Sierra Leone). Scores on standardised questionnaires (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire-30, Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25, COPE-Easy, Lowlands Acculturation Scale) and demographic and psychosocial correlates were analysed.
Results:
A third of the respondents reported scores above the cut-off for affective or anxiety disorders; scores indicative for post-traumatic stress disorder were presented by 17.5% of women. Type of circumcision (infibulation), recollection of the event (a vivid memory), coping style (avoidance, in particular substance misuse) and employment status (lack of income) were significantly associated with psychopathology.
Clinical implications:
A considerable minority group, characterised by infibulated women who have a vivid memory of the circumcision and cope with their symptoms in an avoidant way, reports to experience severe consequences of genital circumcision. In terms of public healthcare, interventions should target these groups as a priority.
Description
Citation
Knipscheer, J., Vloeberghs, E., van der Kwaak, A., & van den Muijsenbergh, M. (2015). Mental health problems associated with female genital mutilation. BJPsych bulletin, 39(6), 273–277. https://doi.org/10.1192/pb.bp.114.047944
Publisher
BJPsych Bulletin