Feelings Of Shame Research Articles

Fat-shaming or stigmatization of obesity. Literature review

The literature review is devoted to stigmatization — the imposition of social labels. A person with excess body weight is considered by most people to be weak, lazy, spiritless, unsuccessful. In recent years, the topic of stigmatization of obesity began to be studied not only in society, but also in medical institutions. People suffering from obesity feel judged, rejected by others on the street, in public transport, in educational institutions, at work, in the store. More importantly, overweight patients feel disadvantaged and often even judged by their doctors. At the same time, doctors usually do not realize the stigmatization of obesity, the relevance of this topic and the importance of discussing it with the patient. As a result, the patient cancels consultations and even interrupts treatment. Ultimately, all this contributes to an increase in body weight and increases the likelihood of the appearance of new obesity‑related diseases and even the emergence of critical psychological conditions. Despite the fact that the problem of obesity has been known since ancient times, only in the last few years it has been recognized as a chronic and continuously relapsing disease. And later came an understanding of the need to eradicate stigma and discrimination of people because of their weight. Stigma in translation means a stigma with which we often «award» patients with various diseases: such as a hypertensive diabetic. Patients with comorbid pathology against the background of obesity become even more vulnerable and sensitive not only to the words of the medical staff, but also to the people around them. Stigmatization of obesity is stressful for all patients, which can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, failure, and fear. Fear is accompanied by the release of cortisol, and one way to overcome fear or stress is to use food as a distraction. Thus, a vicious circle is formed: stigma‑stress‑increased cortisol level‑eating more food‑gaining weight‑obesity‑stigmatization of obesity.

Отношение к понесенному наказанию и его последствиям у лиц, осужденных условно

ntroduction. By receiving conditional release from actual sentence serving in places of deprivation of liberty, individuals can remain free and demonstrate through their lawabiding behavior that they do not need to be isolated from society. The persons with suspended sentence are not always fully aware of the need to change their lifestyles, assess the results of their unlawful conduct adequately, that makes research and development of how they perceive and evaluate the punishment and its consequences very actual. Research methods. The nonstandard interview method and the free association method were chosen to study emotionally charged perceptions and assessments of punishment and its consequences. Research results. The persons with suspended sentence consider the sentence imposed to them by the court to be just and understand that its main purpose is to give them the opportunity to correct and change their life. Those who have previously served a sentence of deprivation of liberty, in comparison with firsttime convicts, accept positively the fact that they have been given a suspended sentence, but they are more critical to the responsibilities imposed by the court, without no regard to their necessity and reasoning. The emotional component of the attitude towards punishment and its consequences in the case of first-time convicts is connected with the feeling of repentance and shame, but in the case of multiple convicts it is associated primarily with unpleasant legal consequences of the very fact of punishment. Previously convicted persons with suspended sentences are a vulnerable group from the point of view of their internal responsibility rejection for their offences, including such consequences as the performance of duties, restrictions and prohibitions, imposed by the court, which may create favorable conditions for repeat offences during the probation period.

The influence of trauma symptoms on interpersonal attributions in daily life.

There is well-documented evidence that trauma exposure can disrupt relationships. However, limited research has examined whether posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) moderate interpersonal processes in daily life. To this end, undergraduates (N = 98) completed a measure of PTSS at baseline. They then completed smartphone-based surveys after every interpersonal interaction that lasted longer than 3 min. for 10 days. These surveys assessed perceptions of self and other agency and communion as well as feelings of rejection, neglect, abandonment, worthlessness, emptiness, guilt, and shame. Results of multilevel modeling suggest that interpersonal perception and PTSS predicted 10%-26% of the variance in outcomes. Regarding agency, more agentic participants reported higher levels of negative attributions, γs=.47-.56. Participants also reported higher rejection and guilt when they experienced their interaction partner as more agentic than usual, γs=.07, and PTSS did not moderate these associations. For communal perceptions, participants who experienced themselves and others as warmer than other participants reported fewer negative outcomes, γs = -.44--.58. Individuals also reported more negative outcomes when they experienced themselves and others as warmer than they usually did, γs = -.10--.28, and PTSS moderated these associations. The negative associations between self- and other communion ratings and feelings of neglect, abandonment, and shame were stronger in individuals with higher PTSS scores. Together, these findings support continued efforts to understand the ways in which trauma exposure and PTSS disrupt interpersonal dynamics in daily life.

Men’s views on causes and consequences of erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation in a primary care population: a qualitative study

Objective To explore men’s views on the causes and consequences of two common sexual dysfunctions – erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation – and how this affects physical and mental health as well as social life and intimate or close relations. Design A qualitative design with semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions was employed. Individual interviews were conducted, audio recorded and transcribed, and a qualitative content analysis of the text was performed. Setting Informants were recruited from an outpatient primary care clinic in Sweden that offers consultation about sexual health to primarily younger men, age 20 years and above. Subjects A total of 18 participants were included in the study, ten with erectile dysfunction and eight with premature ejaculation or both. Main outcome measures Using the content analysis, different views and strategies of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation were presented to illustrate a range of perceptions. Results The main theme emerged as ‘Striving to understand and deal with the problem’, which was divided into four categories: ‘Reasons for seeking healthcare’, ‘Own perceptions/images about the problem and its cause’, ‘Experienced consequences on sex life’ and ‘Relationship qualities’. Participants experienced their problems in relation to a partner. Feelings of shame and fear of not being fit for desired sexual practices were common. They thought that underlying physical illness or previous sexual activities could have caused their problems. Decreased sexual desire and low self-esteem were seen as consequences, and participants wished for both medical treatment and counselling as support. Conclusion Sexual dysfunction impairs general health and relationships with partners. While counselling is the basic treatment, those who are offered pharmaceutical treatment need follow-up concerning effectiveness and potential concerns.

GAMBARAN MAKNA HIDUP PADA PSK REMAJA YANG MENJALANI REHABILITAS DI PSKW ANDAM DEWI SOLOK

Prostitution in adolescents is already very worrying because of the many cases of exploitation of adolescents. Adolescent prostitutes who undergo rehabilitation because they are arrested by the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) will be a source of pressure on their lives, especially if the perpetrators of prostitution are teenagers, they tend to be more vulnerable to experiencing various negative emotional and psychological impacts due to punishment such as guilt, loss of freedom, feelings of shame, economic sanctions and will affect physical adjustment but also individual psychology. This study aims to look at the description of the meaning of life in adolescent prostitutes undergoing rehabilitation at PSKW Andam Dewi Solok. This research uses a phenomenological approach with qualitative methods. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interview techniques with 2 (two) subjects who were teenage prostitutes undergoing rehabilitation at PSKW Andam Dewi Solok. The data analysis technique in this study used the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) technique. The results of this study found that the subject of teenage prostitutes who are undergoing rehabilitation can achieve 5 (five) stages in finding the meaning of life proposed by Bastaman. Then, the factors that influence the meaning of life in this study are self-understanding, positive behavior, relationship intimacy, deepening the chess of values, and worship.

HIV-related Shame among Women Giving Birth in Tanzania: A Mixed Methods Study.

Women living with HIV (WLHIV) commonly experience HIV-related shame which can interfere with HIV care-seeking behavior and lead to poor clinical outcomes. HIV-related shame may be particularly heightened during the pregnancy and postpartum periods. This study aimed to describe HIV-related shame among WLHIV giving birth, identify associated factors, and qualitatively examine the impacts of HIV-related shame on the childbirth experience. Postpartum WLHIV (n = 103) were enrolled in the study between March and July 2022 at six clinics in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Participants completed a survey within 48h after birth, prior to being discharged. The survey included a 13-item measure of HIV-related shame, which assessed levels of HIV-related shame(Range: 0-52). Univariable and multivariable regression models examined factors associated with HIV-related shame. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with pregnant WLHIV (n = 12) and postpartum WLHIV (n = 12). Thematic analysis, including memo writing, coding, and synthesis, was employed to analyze the qualitative data. The survey sample had a mean age of 29.1 (SD = 5.7), and 52% were diagnosed with HIV during the current pregnancy. Nearly all participants (98%) endorsed at least one item reflecting HIV-related shame, with an average endorsement of 9 items (IQR = 6). In the final multivariable model, HIV-related shame was significantly associated with being Muslim vs. Christian (ß = 6.80; 95%CI: 1.51, 12.09), attending less than four antenatal care appointments (ß = 5.30; 95%CI: 0.04, 10.55), and reporting experiences of HIV stigma in the health system (ß = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.27, 1.12). Qualitative discussions revealed three key themes regarding the impact of HIV-related shame on the childbirth experience: reluctance to disclose HIV status, suboptimal adherence to care, and the influence on social support networks. WLHIV giving birth experience high rates of HIV-related shame, and social determinants may contribute to feelings of shame. HIV-related shame impacts the childbirth experience for WLHIV, making the labor and delivery setting an important site for intervention and support.The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (R21 TW012001) and is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05271903).

What Is the Patriarchy Doing in Our Bed? Violent Sexual-Affective Experiences Among Youth

Abstract Introduction In the context of a qualitative research study on sexual practices and risk among youth, repeated accounts of non-consensual sex and other forms of gender-based violence emerged. Drawing from that research, this article explores the influence of the patriarchal system on sexual-affective relationships among young people aged 18–25 years residing in Andalusia, Spain. Methods The fieldwork was conducted between March and May 2019. Six discussion groups were held with 39 participants segmented by gender, level of education, sexual orientation, and length of relationships. Results The results show that patriarchal constructs related to female body standards and the subordination of women’s pleasure to men’s, in addition to blackmail and sexual violence, continue to pervade the sexual-affective imaginaries and experiences of young people. Additionally, the participants’ discourses on patriarchal and sexual violence are interwoven with critical feminist points of view, revealing timid signs of resistance to the patriarchal order. Conclusions Women navigate inequality by assuming, negotiating, or rebelling against the different types of violence to which they are exposed in their intimate relationships. In their sexual-affective relationships, young people today are confronted with numerous tensions and contradictions. The discourse of females shifts between their right to seek pleasure and self-blaming, while trying to overcome feelings of shame and dismantling aesthetic standards or empowering themselves and claiming orgasm equality. Policy Implications The findings are applicable for the prevention of violence against young women in relationships of trust.

The Heavy Burden of Judgement: Cultivating Compassion with People Accessing Healthcare Services for Support with Weight Management

Compassion focused therapy concepts and techniques are explored in the context of weight management efforts within community, specialist and surgical settings. Living at higher weights within a culture that over-values life at low weights can induce feelings of shame, self-loathing and hypercriticism. This article examines points at which individuals engaging in weight management may experience heightened distress and describes some of the ways that the model has been applied with this population. An outline of the way that CFT could be used to inform service delivery and development is proposed, from first contact through assessment, interventions and wider aspects such as staff well-being.

Safety and solidarity: Using collective documents to share sex workers’ insider knowledges

Western culture and Western health care systems have created places of sexual health care that are highly individualised, privatised and professionalised. For people engaged in sex work, this reduces the possibilities for sharing skills and knowledges and instead leaves people with internalised feelings of shame, guilt and isolation. This paper describes collective therapeutic work that elicited insider knowledges, skills and sparkling moments from sex workers. These accounts sidestepped negative identity conclusions and fostered mutual support among the workers, even though the participants never met each other. The work was guided by narrative practice concepts including externalising, double listening, re-authoring, privileging insider knowledges and developing collective documents.

‘Nobody believes you if you’re a bloke’: Barriers to disclosure and help-seeking for male forced-to-penetrate victims/survivors

Research on barriers that exist for male victims/survivors of sexual abuse in relation to disclosing their experiences is limited. This article shares qualitative data in relation to disclosure and help-seeking barriers encountered by male victims/survivors of female-perpetrated sexual abuse. Findings from semi-structured interviews conducted with 30 male victims/survivors in the United Kingdom about their forced-to-penetrate (FTP) experiences are discussed. FTP cases involve a man being FTP, with his penis and without his consent, the vagina, anus, or mouth of a woman. During their interviews, male victims/survivors shared multiple barriers which resulted in delayed, selective, limited, or no disclosure. These included; masculinity, feelings of shame and self-blame, struggling to understand and label experiences, concerns about the consequences of disclosure, and a lack of (knowledge about) support. These barriers are critically discussed and positioned within their broader contexts and consideration is given to how they can be overcome by those most likely to engage with male FTP victims/survivors.

Factors Influencing Obstetric Fistula among Women of Childbearing Age at Banadir Hospital, Somalia

This study focuses on the factors influencing obstetric fistula among the women of childbearing age at Banadir hospital, Somalia. The specific objectives of the study include: to identify the factors that contribute to obstetric fistula among women of childbearing age at Banadir Hospital in Somalia, to assess the impact of obstetric fistula on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of affected women at Banadir Hospital in Somalia and to explore potential interventions and strategies to prevent and manage obstetric fistula among women of childbearing age at Banadir Hospital in Somalia. The study also employed quantitative research approach research method to investigate the factors that contribute to obstetric fistula among women of childbearing age at Banadir Hospital in Somalia. The study utilised close-ended questionnaire instrument data collected from the respondents of the study was entered, coded, sorted, organized and analyzed using Statistical Package Software Science (SPSS) version 28. The findings of the study on factors that contribute to obstetric fistula among women of childbearing age at Banadir Hospital in Somalia which they include: lack of access to skilled obstetric care, poverty prevent women from seeking appropriate medical care during pregnancy and childbirth, lack of education, cultural and social factors, lack of access to clean water and sanitation and gender inequality. The impact of obstetric fistula on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of affected women at Banadir Hospital in Somalia include: chronic incontinence leading to foul-smelling leaks of urine and/or feces, which can cause skin irritation and infections, painful sores and ulcers in the genital area, malnutrition and dehydration due to difficulty in eating and drinking, chronic pelvic and abdominal pain, increased risk of reproductive health issues, including infertility and recurrent infections, feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation due to the stigma associated with obstetric fistula, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, loss of sense of self-worth and identity and trauma and social exclusion and discrimination from family, friends, and community members. The potential interventions and strategies to prevent and manage obstetric fistula among women of childbearing age at Banadir Hospital in Somalia entail: increasing access to skilled birth attendance by providing more trained healthcare providers, improving access to emergency obstetric care by ensuring that women have access to timely and appropriate medical care during childbirth, promoting family planning and contraception by empowering women to make informed choices about family planning and access to contraception, addressing cultural and social determinants by tackling underlying social norms and cultural practices that may contribute to obstetric fistula.

“I feel like I am betraying my child”: The socio‐politics of maternal guilt and shame

AbstractIn this paper, we explore maternal shame and guilt as affective derivatives of social regulations of motherhood in Iceland, which is internationally perceived as a frontrunner in gender equality. We analyze 450 qualitative questionnaires completed by parents describing feelings of guilt and shame in connection to parenthood. We use 76 questionnaires completed by fathers to contrast and compare to answers from mothers to better understand the affective‐discursive workings of motherhood. The affective‐discursive analytical framework allows us to understand affective pulls, pushes, power dynamics and their social politics. The findings are contextualized in the Nordic welfare state, neoliberalism, the current ethos of intensive mothering. The recurrent thread running through the data is the idea of the ever‐present mother, and under this umbrella concept, we have developed two affective‐discursive themes: (i) the guilt of working (long hours) and having to arrange for childcare and (ii) failing to be 100% present for the child. We conclude that the emotions of guilt and shame are consistently present in mothers' lives, much more so than in fathers' lives, and that this gendered pattern is both caused by and serves to reinforce the age‐old cultural mandate that mothers are primarily responsible for child rearing. The marks of intensive mothering are evident in mothers' description of feeling guilty for everyday tasks such as working, cleaning, studying, arranging for daycare, sending their children to preschool, and attending to their own needs. This gendered pattern suggests that the gender equality cornerstone of the Nordic welfare state might be at risk as important institutions, such as preschools, are perceived as inferior to mothers' constant attention.

Clinical Crossroads: Countertransference, Ethics, and Premature Termination

The literature extensively examines the clinical constructs of countertransference and premature termination through several theoretical orientations. It explores how countertransference is one of the most significant variables in successful therapy outcomes, and how premature termination is often an outcome of a poor therapeutic alliance stemming from the client’s insecure attachment to primary caregivers (Berg & Lundh, 2022; Westerling et al., 2019). However, few studies explore the interconnection of these two constructs and how clinicians process their countertransference when it interferes with their ability to provide effective treatment. Despite the gap in the literature, clinicians are bound to experience countertransference in their work with clients; thus, the literature must provide language to describe these experiences to lessen the feelings of guilt, shame, and uncertainty that tend to emerge through these processes. This clinical note aims to provide a review of these constructs through a case study to emphasize the clinical, ethical, and legal dilemmas clinicians encounter when they experience countertransference throughout the course of therapy. While experiences of countertransference are intimate and painful for the clinician, they are bound to happen; and it is the responsibility of the clinician to address them in the best interest of the client.

Experiences of mpox illness and case management among cis and trans gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in England: a qualitative study

The 2022-2024 global mpox outbreak, occurring primarily in the sexual networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), has not been accompanied by a focus on patient perspectives of illness. We explore the experiences of GBMSM diagnosed with mpox in England to understand needs for social and clinical support. In-depth interviews (March/July 2023) were conducted with 22 GBMSM diagnosed with mpox in 2022, randomly selected from a national mpox surveillance database, and 4 stakeholders from clinical/community-based organisations. Interviews covered experiences of illness, testing, diagnosis, treatment and contact tracing, and were recorded, transcribed and analysed with a thematic framework. Media coverage drawing on homophobic stereotypes around sex between men contributed to feelings of stigma and shame. GBMSM living with HIV appeared to cope better with mpox stigma, drawing on their experiences of being diagnosed with HIV for resilience. Younger GBMSM with less experience of stigmatising illness found mpox diagnosis more traumatic and sometimes required support beyond what was provided. Accessing testing could be complicated when healthcare professionals did not recognise mpox symptoms. Men felt information on course of illness, isolation and vaccination after recovery was often inconsistent and contradictory. GBMSM described that care from sexual health and infectious disease units usually better met their emotional and medical needs. This was frequently linked by men to these services having skills in working with the GBMSM community and managing infection risk sensitively. General hospital services and centralised contact tracing could increase feelings and experiences of stigma as some staff were perceived to lack skills in supporting GBMSM and, sometimes, clinical knowledge. Long-term impacts described by men included mental health challenges, urethral/rectal symptoms and life-changing disability. In this study stigma was a central feature of mpox illness among GBMSM and could be exacerbated or lessened depending on the clinical and social support provided. Involving communities affected by outbreaks in co-producing, planning and delivering care (including contact-tracing) may help improve support provided. TCW, AJR, AS and FMB received support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) under its Programme Grants for Applied Research Programme (Ref: NIHR202038). CS and JS receive support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at UCL in partnership with UKHSA; RV receives support from the NIHR HPRU in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections and NIHR HPRU in Gastrointestinal Infections. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR, UK Health Security Agency, World Health Organization or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Pengaruh Terapi Murrotal terhadap Tingkat Kecemasan pada Lansia dengan Hipertensi di RT 003/007 Sawangan Baru Tahun 2023

Hypertension is an increase in systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg. Because hypertension has several factors, one of which is age. Elderly is a phase of declining intellectual and physical abilities. What occurs most often in the elderly is anxiety. Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of shame or fear accompanied by a response. Muslims believe in the holy Qur'an as a medicine for heart and physical ailments, the effect of murrotal can reduce anxiety levels. Objective: From this research, to determine the effect of murrotal therapy on anxiety levels in elderly people with hypertension at Rt 003/007 Sawangan Baru in 2023. The population in this study was 36 elderly people, the sample size was 15 respondents. The research design used pre-experimental with a one group pretest-posttest design approach. The data collection method uses the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS) questionnaire to measure anxiety levels. The results showed that the average blood pressure in the elderly before murrotal therapy was 150/100 MmHg, after murrotal therapy it showed 130/90 MmHg, while the level of anxiety in the elderly before and after murrotal Qur'an therapy was an average value. P – value or sig value. (2-tailed) 0.000 which means less than p <0.05 using the Paired Simple T - Test Statistical Test which states that the hypothesis Ha is accepted and Ho is rejected, therefore there is a significant change between before and after the administration of murrotal therapy. So it can be concluded that there is an influence of murrotal therapy on anxiety levels in elderly people with hypertension.

Community perceptions and attitudes toward serious mental illness in Cambodia

BackgroundWorldwide, approximately 64 million people are living with serious mental illnesses (SMI), such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Because community perceptions and attitudes can impact help-seeking and the course of illness, understanding and incorporating these perspectives, and addressing misconceptions and harmful attitudes, is a critical component of comprehensive mental health support. These concepts are deeply rooted in local culture and belief systems, yet research to provide local understanding is often lacking, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess relative caregivers' and other key community members’ perceptions and attitudes towards people with SMI in Cambodia. MethodsA brief survey that included open-ended assessment of mental health knowledge and beliefs was interviewer-administered to 115 relative caregivers of people with SMI. Additionally, 20 community members considered knowledgeable about mental health (e.g., traditional healers, local authorities, family caregivers) participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews that explored perceptions and attitudes toward SMI in Cambodia. ResultsParticipants included 56 men and 79 women. While respondents were able to identify signs and symptoms of SMI, the most commonly perceived causes were spiritual (e.g., spells, ghosts); family crisis (e.g., domestic violence); and physical health problems. Both respondent groups showed empathy for people with SMI (e.g., pity) but also reported feelings of fear and shame (e.g., perceived tendency toward violence and not wanting to live with such a person). ConclusionBoth caregivers likely to seek help and respected local figures likely to be involved in initial help-seeking efforts demonstrated limited understanding of SMI as a medical disorder suitable for management within the formal healthcare system. Commonly reported misperceptions are likely to lead to delayed access to care and poorer treatment within the community. Strengthening mental health knowledge among caregivers and key community leaders may hold promise for improving peer support and community referral pathways.

Mediating Effects of Guilt and Shame on the Helping Behavior of People who Have Witnessed Ostracism.

Social connections are fundamental to human well-being, yet ostracism can lead to mental and physical maladjustment. Ostracized individuals often attempt to reconnect, but their efforts can be hindered by feelings of helplessness and depression. This study examines factors that facilitate helping behavior toward ostracized individuals by third parties who witness the ostracism, that is, the mediating effects of guilt and shame on the effects of witnessing ostracism on subsequent helping behavior. Participants (n = 161) read scenarios depicting ostracism or inclusion situations and reported their likelihood to engage in helping behaviors and their feelings of guilt and shame after witnessing the events. Results indicated that guilt mediated a positive relationship between witnessing ostracism and subsequent helping behavior, whereas shame mediated a negative relationship. These findings are consistent with existing research on the prosocial motivation of guilt and the avoidance tendencies of shame. The results highlight the complex interplay of emotions in shaping bystander responses to ostracism and shed light on potential interventions to promote inclusive behaviors. By influencing the emotions of bystanders, prosocial actions based on guilt can be encouraged and avoidance based on shame can be discouraged, ultimately promoting a more inclusive society.

South African rape survivors’ expressions of shame, self-blame and internalized-stigma

Post-rape research and support often focuses on external stigma, yet many rape survivors experience appreciable shame, self-blame and internalized-stigma. Despite a growing literature describing the impact of these feelings on survivors' emotional wellbeing, there has been little research on this in South Africa, where an average of 40,000 rape cases are reported annually. To strengthen our understanding of female rape survivors' experiences and perceptions of shame, self-blame and internalized-stigma, we undertook qualitative research with 16 survivors in eThekwini, South Africa. They participated in 2–3 in-depth and life history interviews, that sought to enable them to express how they made meaning of post-rape internalized-stigma, shame and self-blame, and how these may have influenced their psychological reactions to rape. The paper describes the women's experiences and reactions to the rape and reflects on how their descriptions contribute to theoretical perspectives on shame, self-blame and internalized-stigma. The women expressed feelings of shame, self-blame, and internalized-stigma, describing these as distinct, yet inter-connected. These feelings were a reaction to views expressed by family, community members and service providers, their relationship to the perpetrator, the extent of gossip about the incident and gender norms and rape myths. Furthermore, while the stigma was felt at an individual level, it was driven by external stigma enacted at interpersonal and structural/community levels. Women who had experienced more than one rape, explained this through the internally-stigmatizing notion of being ‘rape-able’. This study addresses a significant knowledge gap which could improve contextually appropriate post-rape care services and interventions in South Africa, particularly psychological support for survivors. Finally, while rape survivors should be supported to address their own shame, self-blame and internalized-stigma, external stigma needs to be addressed at interpersonal and structural levels.

A feminist new materialism analysis of pelvic floor digital health messages

ABSTRACT This interdisciplinary study examines digital communication strategies used by advocacy groups/social media influencers about a stigmatized women’s health issue. Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) affect one in three women, but many women lack knowledge about and do not discuss PFDs. Women report feelings of isolation, shame, embarrassment, and dirtiness. To combat this, advocacy organizations recently implemented campaigns to educate women of varying ages about PFDs. Theories of shame resilience, digital communication advocacy and health activism, and feminist new materialisms framed this study. This thematic analysis questioned how women’s bodies are represented and transformed in digital environments, and in doing so, messages from three PFD advocacy organizations and PFD influencers on TikTok were examined. Findings illustrate that pelvic messages of shame resilience encourage “talking about it,” embrace stigmatized language, emphasize the need to reform inadequate policies, and incite gendered commitments to shame resilience, and distinguish commonality from abnormality. Additionally, in exploring new understandings of matter and embodiment, findings show that digital health messages encourage women to partake in digital self-administration of care, normalize vaginal rhetoric, and avoid having their social media content shadowbanned.

Perceived anxiety and depression and associated factors among women inmates with a long-term sentence in Thailand.

In Thailand, the growing prevalence of mental health problems among the increasing number of adult female prisoners has emerged as a significant public health concern. However, studies on the health of women prisoners are primarily conducted in Western societies, and studies in other countries are rare. Thailand, a non-western country, is no exception to this. The objectives of this study were to assess the current levels of anxiety and depression among women drug offenders in Thailand and to identify possible associated factors. Data were collected from a sample consisting of 554 women drug offenders serving sentences of eight years or more. Stratified random sampling with proportionate stratification was employed during the data collection. The female inmates were being held in three categories of prisons: correctional institutions, central prisons, and provincial prisons. A single question was used to measure self-perceived levels of anxiety and depression: none, moderate, or substantial. Ordered logit regression was employed in the data analysis. One out of five (21.1%) of the inmates in the sample reported no perceived current anxiety and depression, 61.7% reported moderate anxiety and depression, and 17.1% reported having substantial perceived levels of anxiety and depression. It was found that chronic health conditions or disease, concerns about economic status, and feelings of shame were associated with the perceived anxiety and depression reported by the inmates. The study's findings suggest that integrated mental health services that emphasize a holistic approach that acknowledges the intersectionality of women's mental health and societal gender roles should be provided in prisons. Regular mental health screening and accessible mental health services are essential for all incarcerated women. Empowerment programs during confinement can boost self-esteem and thus lead to better post-release outcomes. The government should also implement programs to alleviate the financial burden on prisoners' households.