Psychosocial factors in risk of cervical intraepithelial lesions.
BACKGROUND
This study examines the relationship among psychosocial factors, behavioral risks for abnormal cervical cytology, and abnormal cervical cytology.


METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure perceived stress, discrimination, lifetime stressful events, optimism, social support, and psychological state. Women with normal Pap smears attending a primary care clinic and women attending a colposcopy clinic because of an abnormal Pap smear were eligible. The scores between the two groups were compared.


RESULTS
A total of 265 women participated in the study. There were no significant relationships between psychosocial factors and cervical cytology status. In a regression model, age (B = -0.057, p = 0.001) was predictive of having abnormal cervical cytology. Smoking was correlated with an increased family Apgar score (p = 0.021), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score (p = 0.049), and Revised Life Stressor Checklist score (p < 0.001). A higher mean number of lifetime male partners was related to increased family Apgar score (p = 0.012), Revised Life Stressor Checklist score (p < 0.001), and major event discrimination (p < 0.001). Earlier age at coitarche was associated with increased family Apgar score (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results do not support that psychosocial factors play a role in the risk of developing abnormal cervical cytology. Behavioral risks for developing abnormal cervical cytology are associated with life stressors, family function, and perceived discrimination.
Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, Arizona, USA.
Jennifer E
JE
Wilkerson
Joanne M
JM
Bailey
Mary E
ME
Bieniasz
Sandra I
SI
Murray
Mack T
MT
Ruffin
D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears