NCJ Number
151337
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 18 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1994) Pages: 739-745
Date Published
1994
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Ninety-nine children who received medical examinations for suspected child sexual abuse were interviewed to determine their perceptions of the medical evaluations.
Abstract
Each child was interviewed about the degree of pain and fear associated with the experience, the kindness of the doctor, the general fear of doctor visits, and the degree of fear associated with a hypothetical second examination. Results revealed that the majority of children did not perceive the examination to be strongly negative. However, children did report greater fear associated with this examination compared to an ordinary visit to the doctor. Multiple regression analysis indicated that general fear of doctor visits and fear and pain associated with the sexual abuse examination contributed to the prediction of intensity of fear about a hypothetical second sexual abuse evaluation. The perceived kindness of the doctor, the child's gender and age, and the physician's gender and age did not contribute to the regression equation. The relatively low reported rate of intense distress associated with the medical evaluation for child sexual abuse, suggests that fear and pain can be minimized and effectively managed for many children. Results suggest that previous negative medical experiences may have an important role in determining how a child interprets the experience of a medical evaluation for suspected sexual abuse. Tables and 5 references (Author abstract modified)