Citation

Bagwell-Gray ME. Qual. Health Res. 2019; 29(6): 779-795.

Affiliation

The University of Kasnas School of Social Welfare, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1049732318804302

PMID

30371140

Abstract

Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) have an elevated risk for negative sexual health outcomes, including HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI). Given the unique risk contexts for survivors, there is a need for effective sexual health interventions that take into account the imbalances of power for women who are survivors of IPV. Toward the aim of informing contextually relevant intervention approaches, this article describes women's strategies toward maintaining their sexual health in the context of violent, controlling relationships. Strategies are examined across women's healing process. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-person interviews with women who had experienced IPV ( N = 28). Participants had a wide range of negative sexual health outcomes and commonly used an analogy of a journey to describe their healing. Throughout these journeys, women gained more confidence and ownership over their sexuality. Themes centered around enhanced self-acceptance, ownership of personal sexuality, and readiness for desirable sexual partnerships.

Language: en

Keywords

adaptation; coping; enduring; healing; qualitative description; southwestern United States; sexual health; violence against women; survivorship; sexuality; violence; qualitative