[Coping Process in Women with FGM from Ethiopia - The Contribution of Attitude]

The Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is still practiced in many countries and mainly performed for traditional reasons. In this study, the relationship of the FGM type (type I and type III) with anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder as well as the attitude toward FGM was analyzed. For this purpose the data of N=109 of FGM type I and III affected women from Ethiopia were collected. Analyses show moderation effects. It was found that the symptoms of depression and PTSD were less pronounced with a positive attitude towards the FGM in the sample of severely mutilated women (type III). It seems that the attitude toward FGM plays a major role in enhancing social recognition of those affected, thus better coping can take place. As well, this study shows the importance of the attitude of FGM tradition in the population to protect young girls prone for FGM.