The Effects Of A Life-Stress Interview For Women With Chronic Urogenital Pain: A Randomized Trial

THE EFFECTS OF A LIFE-STRESS INTERVIEW FOR WOMEN WITH CHRONICUROGENITAL PAIN: A RANDOMIZED TRIALbyJENNIFER N. CARTYAugust 2016Advisor: Dr. Mark A. Lumley, Ph.D.Major: Psychology (Clinical)Degree: Doctor of PhilosophyChronic urogenital pain, pressure, and dysfunction are common, affecting nearly one inseven women in the U.S., who are commonly diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction, painfulbladder syndrome, or interstitial cystitis. Women with these symptoms tend to have co-morbidanxiety and depression, relatively high rates of lifetime trauma and abuse, and conflicts or stressfrom key relationships. There is theory and evidence indicating that unresolved abuse oremotional conflicts can trigger or exacerbate urogenital pain and other symptoms (Abbass, 2009),but assessment of the presence and role of psychological stress is rarely done in women’s healthcare settings. When mental health is assessed, it is typically done using brief self-report measures, which do not provide a comprehensive view of stress, emotions, and health, motivate patients tochange, or relieve their symptoms. There is little research on procedures for assessing stress, emotional processes, and their effect on physical symptoms in medical settings. We created acomprehensive life-stress interview that focuses on increasing awareness of the links betweenstress, emotions, psychological conflicts and physical health through use of experiential techniques. We hypothesized that engaging in life-stress interview would increase awareness and