The Use of Medical Clowns as a Psychological Distress Buffer During Anogenital Examination of Sexually Abused Children

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of medical clowns on psychological distress during pediatric anogenital examinations. A convenience sample of 30 allegedly sexually abused minors ranging in age from 1 to 17 years (M = 10.57, SD = 4.71) was recruited among children at a medical center for sexually abused children in Israel. Parents and children completed self-report questionnaires consisting of two measures: the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Scale and an evaluation scale regarding the role of and experience with medical clowns. Results indicated that children accompanied by a medical clown during examination expressed less fear, reported lower pain levels, and had fewer invasive thoughts.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported (in part) by Grant 000005561-3 from the Chief Scientist Office of the Ministry of Health, Israel.

Notes

*p < .05; **p < .01.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dafna Tener

Dafna Tener is a research coordinator at the TENE Center and teaches at the Graduate School of Creative Arts Therapies at the University of Haifa. Her research deals chiefly with sexual abuse.

Nessia Lang-Franco

Nessia Lang Franco is a senior physician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and directs the TENE Center. She is an authority in the treatment and diagnosis of sexual abuse.

Shoshi Ofir

Shoshi Ofir is a medical clown from the Dream Doctors Program. For the past 8 years she has been working with children and youth in various hospital departments, including the TENE Center. She is working towards her M.A. at the Graduate School of Creative Arts Therapies at the University of Haifa.

Rachel Lev-Wiesel

Rachel Lev-Wiesel is a professor and chair of the Graduate School of Creative Arts Therapies at the University of Haifa. She has published more than 100 scientific papers and 6 books focusing on child abuse, sexual abuse, trauma, analysis of drawings, and therapy.