Disorders of Sex Development: Pediatric Psychology and the Genital Exam

• Published in: Journal of pediatric psychology Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 530 - 543
• Main Authors: Tishelman, Amy C, Shumer, Daniel E, Nahata, Leena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2017
• Subjects: Anxiety - etiology; Anxiety - prevention & control; Attitude of Health Personnel; Child; Child Abuse, Sexual - diagnosis; Child Abuse, Sexual - psychology; Disorders of Sex Development - diagnosis; Disorders of Sex Development - psychology; Genitalia; Humans; Physical Examination - adverse effects; Physical Examination - methods; Physical Examination - psychology; Professional-Patient Relations; Psychology, Child; Stress, Psychological - etiology; Stress, Psychological - prevention & control; CSA; medical exam; DSD; adolescents; children; child sexual abuse; disorders of sex development; anogenital exam; genital exam; youth
• ISSN: 1465-735X
• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsw015

To provide suggestions for clinical care of youth with disorders of sex development (DSD) and their families, by drawing on preexisting pediatric psychology literature with a particular focus on child sexual abuse (CSA) genital exams. Relevant peer-reviewed papers published since 1990 in the CSA literature were systematically reviewed, as well as an illustrative sample of general pediatric psychology papers. Empirical research from the CSA literature provided information on prevalence of distress and the impact of provider behavior, the importance of preparation, and proposed interventions. Expert recommendations from CSA literature and general findings gleaned from pediatric psychology also address these issues. Psychological findings in the CSA pediatric population suggest that fears and anxieties are not universal and can be linked to a number of variables. Based on this review, we make a number of recommendations for potential interventions for youth with DSD and their families, emphasizing the need for further clinical research.