Positive Growth Experiences in Cis Women and Gender Diverse Individuals with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Location
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Start Date
4-5-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-5-2024 11:30 AM
Poster Number
168
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
Stacey Williams
Faculty Sponsor's Department
Psychology
Competition Type
Competitive
Type
Poster Presentation
Presentation Category
Social Sciences
Abstract or Artist's Statement
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic health condition affecting up to 20% of individuals assigned female at birth that also has implications for mental health. Consistently, research shows increased depression and anxiety and decreased quality of life (QOL) in those with PCOS compared to those without in addition to major health risks (obesity, reproductive challenges, cardiovascular disease, diabetes). However, a recent study of the psychosocial lives of those living with PCOS showed that psychological growth or positive outcomes such as self-acceptance stemming from PCOS might also occur despite the negative experiences (Williams, 2023). Because this was the first time positive psychological outcomes of PCOS were discussed, the present qualitative analysis explored PCOS-related experiences of positive growth. As part of a survey-based study, 120 individuals responded to an open-ended question: “Sometimes we grow in positive ways in the face of challenges or stress in our lives. In what ways have you grown as a person due to having PCOS or its symptoms? How has your perspective on PCOS/symptoms changed in more positive ways over time?” This study entitled “PCOS Stories Study” was approved by the ETSU IRB. Qualitative responses were compiled and coded using a reflexive thematic analysis process (Braun & Clarke, 2022). Four undergraduate and graduate student research assistants were part of the collaborative coding process, and the study PI facilitated training in qualitative coding, the development of the codebook, and all phases of the reflexive analysis. All coders and the PI wrote reflexivity statements in order to be mindful of how their positionality could impact the coding process. Coding was an interactive process that involved multiple reads of the data by all coders, initial code development and refinement, and development of a codebook that was used to categorize all individual participant responses. Discrepancies between coders was discussed. Nine themes reflecting positive growth in the context of PCOS were identified: advocacy, empathy, gender/sex affirming, self-acceptance, self-kindness, sense of community, strength, learning/awareness, and perspective shift on symptoms. Final themes and their implications for individuals with PCOS will be discussed.
Positive Growth Experiences in Cis Women and Gender Diverse Individuals with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic health condition affecting up to 20% of individuals assigned female at birth that also has implications for mental health. Consistently, research shows increased depression and anxiety and decreased quality of life (QOL) in those with PCOS compared to those without in addition to major health risks (obesity, reproductive challenges, cardiovascular disease, diabetes). However, a recent study of the psychosocial lives of those living with PCOS showed that psychological growth or positive outcomes such as self-acceptance stemming from PCOS might also occur despite the negative experiences (Williams, 2023). Because this was the first time positive psychological outcomes of PCOS were discussed, the present qualitative analysis explored PCOS-related experiences of positive growth. As part of a survey-based study, 120 individuals responded to an open-ended question: “Sometimes we grow in positive ways in the face of challenges or stress in our lives. In what ways have you grown as a person due to having PCOS or its symptoms? How has your perspective on PCOS/symptoms changed in more positive ways over time?” This study entitled “PCOS Stories Study” was approved by the ETSU IRB. Qualitative responses were compiled and coded using a reflexive thematic analysis process (Braun & Clarke, 2022). Four undergraduate and graduate student research assistants were part of the collaborative coding process, and the study PI facilitated training in qualitative coding, the development of the codebook, and all phases of the reflexive analysis. All coders and the PI wrote reflexivity statements in order to be mindful of how their positionality could impact the coding process. Coding was an interactive process that involved multiple reads of the data by all coders, initial code development and refinement, and development of a codebook that was used to categorize all individual participant responses. Discrepancies between coders was discussed. Nine themes reflecting positive growth in the context of PCOS were identified: advocacy, empathy, gender/sex affirming, self-acceptance, self-kindness, sense of community, strength, learning/awareness, and perspective shift on symptoms. Final themes and their implications for individuals with PCOS will be discussed.