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23-10-2024 | Coping Skills | General Gynecology

Impact of chronic pelvic pain on quality of life in diverse young adults

Authors: Catherine Graeve, Grace Gao, Vera Stephenson, Rachel Helland, Alvin D. Jeffery

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and chronic pelvic pain (CPP), including an evaluation of whether differences exist between reported races and coping mechanisms used.

Methods

We used a cross-sectional survey design and analyzed data using descriptive and inferential statistics. We administered two surveys: the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (26 items) and the Impact of Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Questionnaire (8 items). We recruited young adults aged 18–25 who menstruate from college campuses in a large metropolitan area in the Midwest region of the United States, utilizing flyers, online social media platforms, and snowball sampling techniques.

Results

Out of the 585 respondents, 153 (26%) reported “yes,” and 95 (16%) were “unsure” they had CPP. Those with CPP and unsure reported using various coping mechanisms for pain. They had lower scores in all four domains (physical health, psychological, social relationship, and environment) and statistically significant lower scores in three domains (physical health, social relationship, and environment) on the World Health Organization Quality of Life—BREF when compared to those who said “no.” Respondents identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color had statistically significantly lower QoL in the physical health and environment domains compared to white respondents.

Conclusion

Young adults with CPP experience a significantly lower QoL than those without CPP, and racial differences further widen this gap. Future research should explore coping mechanisms that could benefit young adults’ daily lives.
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Metadata
Title
Impact of chronic pelvic pain on quality of life in diverse young adults
Authors
Catherine Graeve
Grace Gao
Vera Stephenson
Rachel Helland
Alvin D. Jeffery
Publication date
23-10-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword
Coping Skills
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07783-w