Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Linnea L. Mavrides, Psy.D.

Second Advisor

Eva Feindler, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Alyson Caldari, Psy.D.

Abstract

Vaginismus, a genito-pelvic pain disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contraction that renders vaginal penetration painful or impossible, is estimated to affect between 1% and 7% of women worldwide (Laskowska & Gronowski, 2022). Although commonly conceptualized as a medical condition, growing evidence suggests that its etiology is significantly shaped by sociocultural and religious factors (Tugrul & Kabakci, 1997). In particular, belief systems that associate sexuality with immorality, sin, or shame (Cotter, 2015; Lewis et al., 2004), combined with limited sexual education, stigma, and misinformation (Nasserzadeh, 2015), may contribute to the development and maintenance of the disorder. These dynamics are especially salient within Orthodox Jewish communities, where gender segregation, prohibitions against premarital physical contact, and limited formal sexual education prior to engagement are normative (Frydman, 2016). Additionally, the cultural emphasis on tzniut (modesty) may implicitly position women as responsible for regulating male desire (Fine, 1988; Ostrov, 1978), potentially fostering discomfort with sexual communication even within marriage (Frydman, 2016). Despite emerging evidence linking religious frameworks to vaginismus (Mizrahi, 2018), the lived experiences of Orthodox Jewish women with this condition remain unexplored. This qualitative study examines the experiences of 17 Orthodox Jewish women diagnosed with vaginismus, with particular attention to the intersections of sexual education, internalized sexual messaging, and early sexual experiences. Semi-structured interviews were analyzed using Auerbach and Silverstein’s (2003) grounded theory approach by a team of three coders. Findings contribute to the development of a theoretically grounded framework understanding the psychosomatic dimensions of vaginismus within religious contexts. Clinically, this study offers insights to inform culturally sensitive assessment and intervention and provides community leaders with a deeper understanding of how religious and cultural messaging may shape sexual health outcomes.

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