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Self-esteem, coping with stress, and defense mechanisms in Turkish women having hymenoplasty surgery: a case–control study

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Abstract

Background

In some societies, women who lose their virginity before marriage may face humiliation, stigma, alienation, divorce, and extreme violence. Under this background, it is necessary to study whether hymenoplasty can affect women’s mental health. We aimed to understand the mental health of women with hymenoplasty.

Methods

The current study with a case-control group investigated the relationship between self-esteem, coping with stress, and defense mechanisms in a sample of 211 Turkish women. The data collection tools were the Socio-Demographic Characteristics Form, the Self-Esteem Scale, the Defense Mechanisms Scale, and the Scale for the Methods of Coping with Stress.

Results

“Social pressure” was the main reason for women’s hymenoplasty demands. In addition, women who applied for hymenoplasty had low “self-esteem” and “ability to cope with stress.”

Conclusions

Women living under a cultural understanding and moral regime that radically overestimate virginity have low self-esteem and the ability to cope with stress. It can be said that the practice of hymenoplasty is a “measure” that enables women—living under the violence threat under the name of tradition—to question their situation and take action to develop solutions.

Level of evidence: Not gradable

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the women who participated in my research for sharing their emotions and experiences. The research presented in this article is the first study conducted with women who had undergone hymenoplasty in Turkiye.

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hakkari University, 30000, Hakkari, Türkiye

    Çiçek Ediz

  2. Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Türkiye

    Nermin Gürhan

  3. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medıcıne, Diva Women, Ankara, Türkiye

    Gökçen Erdoğan

  4. Department of Mental Health and Diseases, Faculty of Medıcıne, Kocaeli Unıversıty, Kocaeli, Türkiye

    Bahadır Geniş

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  1. Çiçek Ediz
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Correspondence to Çiçek Ediz.

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Conflict of interest

Çiçek Ediz, Nermin Gürhan, Gökçen Erdoğan, and Bahadır Geniş declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This study received ethical approval from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of Hakkari University (Protocol number: 2021/21). All the methods were performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and other relevant guidelines and regulations.

Patients consent

The purpose of the study was explained to both groups, and their informed consent was obtained both verbally and in writing. The study covered only volunteers. Participants were aware that their answers would be kept confidential and used only for scientific purposes, that they could stop filling in if they were uncomfortable with the questions, and that no participant name and surname should be noted on the information forms. The anonymity of participants was ensured at all stages of data collection and analysis.

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Ediz, Ç., Gürhan, N., Erdoğan, G. et al. Self-esteem, coping with stress, and defense mechanisms in Turkish women having hymenoplasty surgery: a case–control study. Eur J Plast Surg 46, 1143–1150 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-023-02080-2

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