title: Sexual health and dissociative experiences among abused women.
abstract: Sexually transmitted infections are a significant public health issue impacting women. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one risk factor for STIs/HIV. Women who are the victims of IPV often experience psychological difficulties, including dissociation. Dissociative symptoms may play a role in women's ability to practice safe sex and negotiate condom use, although this has been underexplored. This mixed methods study examined the dissociative symptoms of 22 women experiencing IPV and examined the ways in which these women described their own sexual health and behaviors as well as how they protected themselves from sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
authors.affiliation: Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: Heidi Collins
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Fantasia
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Adkison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult