Experiencing Pain Invalidation is Associated with Under-Reporting of Pain: A Social Psychological Perspective on Acute Pain Communication

Boring, Brandon L.; Walsh, Kaitlyn T.; Ng, Brandon W.; Schlegel, Rebecca J.; Mathur, Vani A.

doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2023.11.011

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 71 publications

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“…Experiencing medical gaslighting can lead to women suppressing emotion in clinical settings out of fear of being stigmatised and dismissed ( 35 ), using comprehensive self-management and communication strategies, and self-advocacy in an effort to get needs met and avoid further inequity ( 15 , 34–36 ), feeling that symptoms must need to be severe in order to warrant seeking medical care ( 36 ), and feelings of grief and loss from years spent undiagnosed and untreated ( 37 , 38 ). Due to medical gaslighting, women may also distrust, fear and avoid health services ( 17 , 32 , 34 , 39 ), and under-report their symptoms ( 40 ). This can increase vulnerability to illness, for example via delayed diagnosis ( 16 , 38 ), and worsening symptoms ( 15 , 17 ).…”

Section: Existing Evidencementioning

confidence: 99%

“I have to fight for them to investigate things”: a qualitative exploration of physical and mental healthcare for women diagnosed with mental illness

Zirnsak,

Elwyn,

McLoughlan

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionWomen play a significant role in the management of their own healthcare and that of others, however women diagnosed with mental illness and physical health concerns experience significant health inequalities as compared to people living without mental health concerns.MethodsIn this paper, we reflect on the experiences of 20 cis women diagnosed with mental and physical health concerns who agreed to be a part of this research. This qualitative study is part of the larger Healthtalk Australia research project which was not gender specific. Female participants shared many experiences of mental and physical healthcare in interviews with researchers that pointed to the need for a gendered approach to addressing health inequalities. Consequently, we iteratively consolidated transcripts of interviews with participants into thematic categories facilitated by NVIVO 12.ResultsWe identified two broad themes and a set of subthemes: in the doctor’s office – experience of labelling; negotiating medications; and interactions with physical and mental health, and outside the doctor’s office – responses to trauma, financial concerns, and reliance on participant’s internal resources to get healthcare needs met.DiscussionWe conclude that participants in this study undertook significant work to manage their own healthcare needs, despite being challenged by clinicians and systems that failed to see them as whole people with expertise regarding their own health.

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