2. Method

2.1. Type of Study

The study was planned as a descriptive and correlational study.

2.2. Population and Sample of the Study

The study’s sample population consisted of married women from across Türkiye. The sample size was calculated using the unknown population sampling formula. When calculating the sample size, the prevalence of moderate anxiety during gynecological examination was determined as 20.7% (21%), referencing the study by Aksu and Turgut [14]. Using the unknown population sampling method, the number of women to be included in the study was found to be 255. Considering the possibility of exclusion and data loss during data collection, a sample of 281 women, 10% larger than the calculated number, was selected.

2.3. Inclusion Criteria

Women aged 18 years and older who were literate, married, and able to use the internet and a smartphone were included.

2.4. Exclusion Criteria

Women with a diagnosed mental illness and those who agreed to participate in the study but wished to withdraw at any stage were excluded.

2.5. Data Collection

Study data were collected online via a questionnaire form using WhatsApp and social media, based on online self‐reporting, between January 10, 2026, and February 6, 2026. Collecting each data point took ~15 min. Questions were activated after women clicked the consent button before starting the survey.

2.6. Data Collection Tools

2.6.1. Personal Information Form

The form, developed by the researchers based on the literature, consists of questions designed to determine women’s sociodemographic and gynecological characteristics, including age, employment status, chronic disease status, diagnosis of a gynecological disease, and experience with gynecological surgery [14, 34, 35].

2.6.2. The Female Genital Self‐Image Scale (FGSIS)

The FGSIS was developed in the United States by Herbenick and Reece [36] to determine women’s perceptions of their genital self‐image. FGSIS consists of 7 items. The Likert‐type scale used a scale of 1–4, where 1 represents “Strongly disagree” and 4 represents “Strongly agree.” The possible score range was 7–28. A higher total score on the FGSIS indicates a positive genital self‐image. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient in the original study of the scale was 0.88 [36]. The validity and reliability of the scale in Turkish were established by Karadeniz and Yangın [37], and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale was stated as 0.90 in the original study [37]. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was found to be 0.78.

2.6.3. Gynecological Examination Anxiety Scale

The scale was developed by Demirtop et al. [38] to determine the gynecological examination anxiety levels of sexually active women. The scale consists of 20 questions and five subdimensions (health personnel’s approach, health personnel’s experience, negative experiences, hygienic reasons, and individual attitudes). The scale, which has a five‐point Likert structure, does not contain any reverse items. The scale is scored as follows: “Strongly agree = 5, agree = 4, undecided = 3, disagree = 2, and strongly disagree = 1,” with a minimum score of 20 and a maximum score of 100. Higher scores are interpreted as indicating a high level of anxiety. The Cronbach’s alpha value of the scale was found to be α = 0.86 [38]. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha value was found to be 0.78.

2.6.4. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale‐21

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale‐21 was developed by Lovibond and Lovibond [39], and its Turkish validity and reliability study were conducted by Sarıçam [40]. The scale consists of 21 items, with 7 items in each of the depression, anxiety, and stress subscales. The scale evaluates the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in the last week on a four‐point scale from (0) never to (3) always. A score of 5 or higher on the depression subscale, 4 or higher on the anxiety subscale, and 8 or higher on the stress subscale indicates that the individual has a relevant problem. (0–4) points indicate normal, (5–6) mild, (7–10) moderate, (11–13) severe, and 14 and above indicate very severe depression. (0–3) indicates normal, (4–5) mild, (6–7) moderate, (8–9) severe, and 10 and above indicate very severe anxiety. (0–7) indicates normal, (8–9) mild, (10–12) moderate, (13–16) severe, and 17 and above indicate very severe stress [40]. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency reliability coefficients were found to be 0.85 for depression, 0.76 for anxiety, and 0.78 for stress [40].

2.7. Data Analysis

Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29.0 [41]. The normality of the data distribution was evaluated using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Descriptive statistical methods, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values, as well as parametric tests, were used in the evaluation of the data. Differences in independent groups were evaluated using parametric tests such as the t‐test and the one‐way ANOVA test. The relationship between continuous variables was evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis in parametric data. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine factors associated with gynecological examination anxiety. Categorical variables were transformed into dummy variables (0 = reference category and 1 = comparison category) and entered into the model together with continuous variables. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were used for the reliability analyses of the scales. A p < 0.05 value was taken as the threshold for statistical significance.

2.8. Ethical Aspects of the Research

Permission was obtained via email from the authors who developed the scales used as data collection tools. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ordu University Non‐Interventional Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee for the research (decision date: 29.12.2025 and decision number: 2025/55). The principles of the Helsinki Declaration were adhered to in the research. Women who volunteered to participate in the research were asked to give their consent on the consent form in the online questionnaire.