“Knowing that I had HPV, I literally just shut down”: A qualitative exploration of the psychosocial impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women living with mental health conditions

TY - JOUR

T1 - “Knowing that I had HPV, I literally just shut down”

T2 - A qualitative exploration of the psychosocial impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women living with mental health conditions

AU - O'Donnell, Nicola

AU - Waller, Jo

AU - Marlow, Laura

AU - Anderson, Niall C.

AU - McBride, Emily

N1 - Funding Information: This study was funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) as part of a fellowship awarded to Dr Emily McBride (DRF‐2017‐10‐105); the views expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health and Social Care. Funding Information: We would like to express huge thanks to the women who shared their experiences with us. Thank you to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) which has funded this research as part of a fellowship awarded to Dr Emily McBride (DRF‐2017‐10‐105); the views expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health and Social Care. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. British Journal of Health Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society.

PY - 2024/2

Y1 - 2024/2

N2 - Objective: Psychological distress after testing positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) at cervical cancer screening is well documented in the general population. However, little is known about the impact of an HPV-positive result on those with pre-existing mental health conditions, who may be at higher risk of experiencing clinically significant distress. This study explored the psychosocial impact of HPV in women with co-morbid mental health conditions, as well as their experience of cervical screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 22 women aged 27–54 who had tested positive for HPV at routine cervical screening in England, and who reported having at least one mental health condition. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Being informed of an HPV-positive result increased distress and heightened pre-existing psychological challenges. Psychosocial response and duration of HPV-related distress appeared to be influenced by the ability to regulate emotions, number of consecutive HPV-positive results, interactions with health care professionals, and other life stressors. The experience added further complexity to many women's perceptions of self and self-esteem. Women who had received psychological treatment for their mental health condition were best able to self-manage HPV-related distress by applying learned coping skills. Conclusions: Receiving an HPV-positive result at cervical screening appears to be a distressing experience for women with co-morbid mental health conditions. Future hypothesis-driven research is needed to confirm findings and develop effective interventions to reduce psychosocial burden.

AB - Objective: Psychological distress after testing positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) at cervical cancer screening is well documented in the general population. However, little is known about the impact of an HPV-positive result on those with pre-existing mental health conditions, who may be at higher risk of experiencing clinically significant distress. This study explored the psychosocial impact of HPV in women with co-morbid mental health conditions, as well as their experience of cervical screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 22 women aged 27–54 who had tested positive for HPV at routine cervical screening in England, and who reported having at least one mental health condition. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Being informed of an HPV-positive result increased distress and heightened pre-existing psychological challenges. Psychosocial response and duration of HPV-related distress appeared to be influenced by the ability to regulate emotions, number of consecutive HPV-positive results, interactions with health care professionals, and other life stressors. The experience added further complexity to many women's perceptions of self and self-esteem. Women who had received psychological treatment for their mental health condition were best able to self-manage HPV-related distress by applying learned coping skills. Conclusions: Receiving an HPV-positive result at cervical screening appears to be a distressing experience for women with co-morbid mental health conditions. Future hypothesis-driven research is needed to confirm findings and develop effective interventions to reduce psychosocial burden.

KW - cancer

KW - cervical screening

KW - COVID-19

KW - Human Papillomavirus

KW - mental health

KW - Oncology

KW - Psycho-Oncology

KW - Psychological Distress

KW - Psychology

KW - Qualitative

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85169559195&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/bjhp.12688

DO - 10.1111/bjhp.12688

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85169559195

SN - 1359-107X

VL - 29

SP - 80

EP - 94

JO - British Journal of Health Psychology

JF - British Journal of Health Psychology

IS - 1

ER -