How children perceive the medical evaluation for suspected sexual abuse

Lazebnik, Rina; Zimet, Gregory D.; Ebert, James R.; Anglin, Trina M.; Williams, Paul T.; Bunch, Debra L.; Krowchuk, Daniel P.

doi:10.1016/0145-2134(94)00040-9

Cited by 45 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…These findings are similar to previous studies of Lazebnik et al (1994), where 99 children were examined without colposcopy, and of Steward et al (1995), who performed a colposcopic examination on 43 children. However, Money and Lamacz (1987) and Berson et al (1993) reported reactions of anxiety, fear, anger and opposition in children consulting for medical examination for alleged sexual abuse.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Maternal perceptions of their child's reactions to the medical evaluation were assessed with a questionnaire adapted from Lazebnik et al (1994). The questionnaire(available from the authors) was divided in four parts: The number of episodes of sexual abuse were classified as unique, a few (less than three) or chronic (more than three episodes or an abuse evolving over a period of more than 3 months).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In their study of 514 children evaluated for sexual abuse, Berson et al (1993) described frequent reactions of anxiety, fear, anger and opposition. In their cross-sectional sample of 99 children, Lazebnik et al (1994) reported a relatively low rate of intense distress associated with the medical examination for alleged sexual abuse, and suggested that previous negative medical experiences might influence children's perception of the evaluation for sexual abuse. In their comparison between children's and mothers' reactions to colposcopic examination, Steward et al (1995) noted that while children were poorly prepared, they were not retraumatized by Abuse of Children) invitational conference held in May 1997 on the theme 'Establishing a medical research agenda for child sexual abuse' highlighted the need for further research on the emotional impact of the child sexual abuse medical examination (Kerns, 1998).…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

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Children's response to the medical visit for allegations of sexual abuse: maternal perceptions and predicting variables

Allard-Dansereau

Hébert²,

Tremblay³

et al. 2001

Child Abuse Review

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This study examined maternal perceptions of their child's response to the medical evaluation for alleged sexual abuse. A total of 50 mothers were interviewed 6 months after a visit to a Child Protection Clinic for a medical evaluation of alleged sexual abuse. The mothers answered a questionnaire on their child's reactions to the medical visit. More than 60% of children were perceived as being reassured about physical integrity. The degree of psychological distress was independent of perpetrator's identity and severity of the abuse. Mothers considered that a hypothetical second visit would generate in their child a level of anxiety that increased with perceived intensity of fear of the examination and decreased with perceived kindness of the physician. These results suggest that the physician's behaviour during the medical 'Results suggest that the physician's behaviour has an influence on the child's degree of distress' evaluation for alleged sexual abuse has an influence on the child's degree of distress that is independent of type and severity of abuse.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 96%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Children's response to the medical visit for allegations of sexual abuse: maternal perceptions and predicting variables

Allard-Dansereau

Hébert²,

Tremblay³

et al. 2001

Child Abuse Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The survey instrument was adapted using items from 1) a questionnaire developed by Lazebnik et al [5] and 2) a validated instrument used by TCH to evaluate hospital-wide patient satisfaction. (See APPENDIX) Content and construct validity were achieved through a multi-step process including review by an expert panel, consisting of pediatric emergency medicine and child abuse specialists, and a focus group.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Berson et al studied 514 children evaluated for suspected sexual abuse and described frequent reactions of anxiety, fear, anger, and opposition to the medical examination [4]. Lazebnik et al investigated how 99 children, ages 3-17, who were examined for SSA perceived their own medical evaluation experiences [5]. They found that the majority of children did not perceive their SSA examination to be strongly negative, however, the children did report greater fear associated with the SSA evaluation compared to an ordinary physician visit.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of the Sexual Assault Exam in the Emergency Department Setting

Thomas¹,

Lyn²,

Caviness³

et al. 2012

TOPEDJ

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Abstract:Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine how pediatric patients and/or their parents being interviewed and examined for suspected sexual assault perceive their experiences in the emergency department.Methods: A prospective study was conducted at an emergency department. A convenience sample was enrolled from September 2007 to February 2009. At the completion of the medical examination, patients and/or parents were asked to take part in a survey.Results: A total of 87 completed questionnaires were collected; 50 completed by parents/guardians and 37 completed by the patients; 14 patients had both parent and patient questionnaires completed. Of all 87 respondents, 74% of parents and 65% of the patients rated the overall quality of care as excellent, 90% of parents and 70.3% of patients rated the physician kindness as excellent, and 90% and 86.5% respectively rated the nurse kindness as excellent. Of the 50 patients, 35.1% patients found the exam sometimes or very painful and 40.5% found the exam scary sometimes to extremely scary. Patients who perceived the exam painful or scary did not rate their quality of medical care as lower than those who did not find the exam painful or scary, p=0.513 and p=0.800 respectively.Conclusions: Encouragingly, the emergency department environment did not cause higher levels of distress, anxiety or discomfort than other groups of patients evaluated in child abuse evaluation centers.Keywords: Child sexual abuse, emergency department setting, medical evaluation for child sexual abuse, patient experience, perception of sexual assault exams, suspected sexual abuse.

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