Allyson C. Bontempo
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Invalidation of Medical Symptoms by Healthcare Providers and Partners of Individuals with Endometriosis


About.

Between March and June 2019, data were collected from 1747 patients across the globe with self-reported endometriosis, 51% (n = 895) of whom completed the anonymous, online survey. Data were collected on demographic information, endometriosis-related information, pain, fatigue, and self-rated health. Participants were asked to describe a specific interaction with a healthcare provider prior to diagnosis during which they felt that they or their symptoms had been dismissed, with an emphasis on the language used. Participants were then asked various follow-up questions regarding that interaction, including how long ago it had occurred, the type of healthcare provider with whom it occurred, their level of uncertainty and perceived threat regarding their symptoms at the time, and their level of perceived healthcare provider support during that interaction. Data were also collected on self-esteem, depression, and overall social support. This project also constructed two self-report measures of symptom invalidation: one that focuses on symptoms as the target of invalidation and one that focuses on the patient as the target of invalidation (i.e., internalization of invalidation).

For the second part of the survey, participants currently in a romantic relationship answered questions regarding relationship characteristics that may be shaped by the circumstances surrounding the diagnosis of endometriosis and the impact of these conditions on cognitive and communicative outcomes for relationship partners.

Resulting citations.

Bontempo, A. C. (2022). The effect of personalized invalidation of symptoms by healthcare providers on patient depression: The mediating role of self-esteem. Patient Education & Counseling, 105, 1598-1603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2021.09.034
Bontempo, A. C. (2019, November). Does communication matter? Invalidation of patient symptoms during the diagnostic process and its effects on self-esteem and depression. Poster to be presented at the Diagnostic Error in Medicine 12th Annual International Conference, Washington, DC
Bontempo, A. C. (2019, November). Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence: Symptom misattributions stemming from null nondiscriminatory diagnostic testing for endometriosis. Poster to be presented at the Diagnostic Error in Medicine 12th Annual International Conference, Washington, DC

Faculty supervisors.

Lisa Mikesell, PhD
​Jennifer A. Theiss, PhD

Acknowledgments.

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  • Home
  • Education
  • Research
    • Endometriosis Patient Online Communities
    • Endometriosis Physician and Partner Invalidation
    • Endometriosis Physician Support Preferences
    • Medical Interactions in Difficult or Uncertain Illness
  • Teaching
    • Teaching Experience
    • Teaching Philosophy
  • Publications, Conferences, & Talks
    • Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals
    • Conference Presentations
    • Invited Talks
  • Media