The Use of Medical Clowns as a Psychological Distress Buffer During Anogenital Examination of Sexually Abused Children

Dafna Tener; Nessia Lang-Franco; Shoshi Ofir; Rachel Lev-Wiesel

doi:10.1080/15325024.2011.578025

The Use of Medical Clowns as a Psychological Distress Buffer During Anogenital Examination of Sexually Abused Children

Dafna Tener
, Nessia Lang-Franco
, Shoshi Ofir
, Rachel Lev-Wiesel

University of Haifa

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of medical clowns on psychological distress during pediatric anogenital examinations. A convenience sample of 30 allegedly sexually abused minors ranging in age from 1 to 17 years (M = 10.57, SD = 4.71) was recruited among children at a medical center for sexually abused children in Israel. Parents and children completed self-report questionnaires consisting of two measures: the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Scale and an evaluation scale regarding the role of and experience with medical clowns. Results indicated that children accompanied by a medical clown during examination expressed less fear, reported lower pain levels, and had fewer invasive thoughts.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	12-22
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of Loss and Trauma
Volume	17
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2011.578025
State	Published - 1 Jan 2012

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Phychiatric Mental Health
Social Psychology
Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
Psychiatry and Mental health

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10.1080/15325024.2011.578025

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title = "The Use of Medical Clowns as a Psychological Distress Buffer During Anogenital Examination of Sexually Abused Children",

abstract = "This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of medical clowns on psychological distress during pediatric anogenital examinations. A convenience sample of 30 allegedly sexually abused minors ranging in age from 1 to 17 years (M = 10.57, SD = 4.71) was recruited among children at a medical center for sexually abused children in Israel. Parents and children completed self-report questionnaires consisting of two measures: the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Scale and an evaluation scale regarding the role of and experience with medical clowns. Results indicated that children accompanied by a medical clown during examination expressed less fear, reported lower pain levels, and had fewer invasive thoughts.",

author = "Dafna Tener and Nessia Lang-Franco and Shoshi Ofir and Rachel Lev-Wiesel",

note = "Funding Information: Received 23 May 2010; accepted 17 February 2011. This study was supported (in part) by Grant 000005561-3 from the Chief Scientist Office of the Ministry of Health, Israel. Address correspondence to Dafna Tener, TENE Center for Sexually Abused Children, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Poria-Padeh Medical Center, Tiberias, Israel 15208. E-mail: [email protected]",

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AU - Ofir, Shoshi

AU - Lev-Wiesel, Rachel

N1 - Funding Information: Received 23 May 2010; accepted 17 February 2011. This study was supported (in part) by Grant 000005561-3 from the Chief Scientist Office of the Ministry of Health, Israel. Address correspondence to Dafna Tener, TENE Center for Sexually Abused Children, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Poria-Padeh Medical Center, Tiberias, Israel 15208. E-mail: [email protected]

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The Use of Medical Clowns as a Psychological Distress Buffer During Anogenital Examination of Sexually Abused Children

Abstract

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ASJC Scopus subject areas

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