Emotional health work of women with female genital cutting prior to reproductive health care encounters
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Authors
Jacobson, Danielle
Grace, Daniel
Boddy, Janice
Einstein, Gillian
Issue Date
2021-12-06
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Minorities , Cultural Competence , Emotion Work , Women’s Health , Gender , Health Promotion , Users’ Experiences , Health Care
Alternative Title
Abstract
We used institutional ethnography to explore the social relations that shaped the reproductive health care experiences of women with female genital cutting. Interviews with eight women revealed that they engaged in discourse that opposed the practices of cutting female genitals as a human-rights violation. This discourse worked to protect those affected by the practices, but also stigmatized female genital cutting, making participants anticipate experiencing stigmatization during health care. Women’s engagement in this discourse shaped their emotional health work to prepare for such encounters. This work included navigating feelings of worry, shame, and courage to understand what to expect during their own appointment; learning from family/friends’ experiences; and seeking a clinic with the reputation of best care for women with female genital cutting. It is important to strive for more inclusive health care in which women do not have to engage in emotional health work to prepare for their clinical encounters.
Description
Citation
Jacobson, D., Grace, D., Boddy, J., & Einstein, G. (2022). Emotional Health Work of Women With Female Genital Cutting Prior to Reproductive Health Care Encounters. Qualitative health research, 32(1), 108–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323211049225
Publisher
Qualitative Health Research