Cognitive–Emotional Aspects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Context of Female Genital Mutilation

• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19094993
• Publication Date: 2022-04-21T05:55:51Z
• Authors: Nele Wulfes; Uwe von Fritschen; Cornelia Strunz; Nadine Kröhl; Roland Scherer; Christoph Kröger
• Keywords: Female circumcision

Around 200 million women and girls worldwide are affected by female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C is a procedure that harms or alters the external genitals for non-medical reasons, usually performed on children. Often, this leads to severe consequences women's physical mental health. In cross-sectional sample of 112 seeking medical counseling, health characteristics associated with were examined possible predictors development post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in identified. A total 55.4% (n = 66) reported symptom levels probable PTSD. Predictors higher PTSD symptomology an older age at time procedure, feelings guilt centrality event woman's life. Thus, cognitive-emotional processing was found play important role emergence suffering from FGM/C. However, interventions taking into consideration these mostly lacking need be investigated further context