Male adolescents' concern about a physical examination conducted by a female

This descriptive study measured degree of concern of 45 healthy male adolescents aged 13 to 17 from three private physicians' offices when they were told that their complete physical examination might be conducted by a female examiner. Degree was measured on a 20-item Likert-type instrument on which areas of concern were categorized as body image, identity, independence, and relatedness. Concern scores were obtained in each of the four categories, and a total concern score was determined. Relationships between the independent variable, age of the participants, and the dependent variables, concerns (body image, identity, independence, relatedness, and total concerns), were determined by Pearson correlations. Relationships were additionally determined between a second independent variable, Tanner stage of physiological sexual development, and the dependent variables. Partial correlation was used to determine relationships between Tanner stage and concerns while holding age constant. As age increased, concerns decreased, and no significant relationship was found between Tanner stage and concerns. Age was such a contributing factor affecting concerns that when partialed out, no significant relationship between Tanner stage and concerns remained. Because female clinicians might expect to seen more concern in younger adolescent males, research is required on how to reduce these concerns.