McCarter, Catherine; (2023) How women who have survived sexual violence make personal meaning of chronic pelvic pain. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Aims: This paper presents the results of an in-depth qualitative study, committed to listening to women who have survived sexual violence and who also experience chronic pelvic pain (CPP), regardless of causal relation. The aim is to broaden understanding of how women who have survived sexual violence make personal meaning of CPP. Method: Participants were recruited via social media and interviewed about their experiences and understandings of sexual violence and CPP. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results: Ten women participated. Three themes were generated: silencing women, treating the whole woman, and resistance. Women integrated experiences of sexual violence into the meanings they brought to their CPP. Shame from experiencing sexual violence compounded shame from having CPP and created an additional barrier to women seeking support. Women described how clinicians’ and others’ responses to disclosure of sexual violence and CPP affected their pain experience. Conclusions: These results give insights into the complex meanings women survivors of sexual violence bring to their CPP, and how healthcare systems could better support them to explore and respond to those meanings. Compassionate care that recognises the complex biopsychosocial impact of sexual violence and CPP and keeps women in control of their own care is essential. Recommendations for clinical application and research are discussed.

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