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A new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Faculty of Medicine suggests that experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault could have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of women in the world. ;mature age. Results of the study, published today in JAMA Internal Medicine, will also be presented at the North American Menopause Society meeting on Friday, October 5, 2018 in San Diego, California.
"With regard to sexual harassment or sexual assault, our study shows that lived experiences can have serious consequences for women's mental and physical health," said Rebecca Thurston, PhD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Pitt School of Medicine the author first and principal of the study. "It's a problem that needs to be addressed urgently, not only in terms of treatment, but in terms of prevention."
Sexual harassment and sexual assault are very common experiences among women. In the United States, about 40 to 75% of women have been victims of sexual harassment in the workplace and more than one in three women has been sexually assaulted. Although both were associated with poorer health outcomes, previous studies used mostly self-reported parameters, which could be biased by mood, memory, and health knowledge, or these factors do not occur. did not take into account factors such as socio-economic status or the use of drugs.
In this study, Thurston and colleagues analyzed the connection between a history of sexual assault or physical or physical sexual harassment at work and physical and mental health parameters such as blood pressure, sleep, sleep, and sex. Mood and anxiety. The analysis was conducted with a group of 304 middle-aged women aged 40 to 60, originally recruited as part of a larger study on the association between menopause and cardiovascular health.
In the study group, about one in five women reported being harassed or sexually assaulted. Younger or more financially stressed women were more likely to be harassed.
It is important to note that the study found that abused women were nearly three times more likely to have symptoms consistent with major depression and more than twice as likely to have high anxiety. Sexual harassment was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension. Sexual harassment and sexual assault were associated with a two-fold higher probability of poor sleep, which is consistent with clinical insomnia. The associations remained true even when demographics, socioeconomic status, drug use and medical history were taken into account. According to the authors, lack of sleep, depression and anxiety are themselves associated with poorer health outcomes.
"We know that sexual harassment and sexual assault are prevalent in our society and can cause significant harm," said Thurston. "If you are a health care provider, be aware that these experiences can have an impact on your patient's health – if you are a victim of assault or harassment, do not be harmed. If you can, change the situation or delete yourself. "
Thurston and colleagues note that the study could be expanded and strengthened by implementing a more comprehensive measure of harassment and aggression and increasing the number and diversity of participants.
Explore more:
Sexual harassment and assault have a long-term impact on women's health
More information:
JAMA Internal Medicine (2018). jamanetwork.com/journals/jamai… ainternmed.2018.4886
JAMA Internal Medicine (2018). jamanetwork.com/journals/jamai… ainternmed.2018.4859
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