Pediatric anogenital exam: a theory-driven exploration of anticipatory appraisals and affects

Smith and Lazarus's 1990 and 1993 theory of cognition-emotion associations guided this exploration of individuals' pre-exam experiences. The study also tested the model's integrity during a stressful event and examined its downward extension to children. A total of 47 girls ages 8 to 14 (M = 11.57, SD = 2.14) and 109 adult guardians of female patients (all ages) completed a brief questionnaire about their pre-exam thoughts and feelings. The majority of participants viewed the impending exam as important and desirable, reported optimism and confidence in their ability to cope or adjust, and described mild-moderate anxiety as well as moderate-high hope/gladness. The majority of adults also reported relatively high levels of sadness. Data supported the model's cognition-emotion associations. This theory-driven research offers a richer understanding of children who may have been sexually abused and their supportive adult guardians and encourages more positive and realistic expectations for these individuals.