title: The emancipatory potential of nursing practice in relation to sexuality: a systematic literature review of nursing research 2009-2014.
abstract: Nurses play a key role in the provision of services in relation to sexuality in both primary and sexual and reproductive health-care. Given the intersection of sexualities with a range of social injustices, this study reviews research on nursing practice concerning sexuality from an emancipatory/social justice perspective. A systematic review of English articles published in nursing journals appearing on the Web of Science database from 2009 to 2014 was conducted. Thirty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria. Analysis consisted of a descriptive phase (types and location of studies, aspects of sexualities focused on, target health users and aspects of nursing practice focused on) and a critical/emancipatory phase. In terms of practice, our analysis revealed that: barriers exist to the integration of issues relating to sexuality in nursing practice; the social location of nurses and their personal feelings regarding sexuality influence their practice; content that addresses gendered norms and media that assist in communication underpin some emancipatory practices. Few studies locate analyses of nursing practice within gendered, cultural and social norms; consider advocacy as part of the practice of nurses; or analyse the promotion of health user participation in health services and structures. The implications for emancipatory practice are drawn out.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Critical Studies of Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR), Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
authors.forename: Catriona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Macleod
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Critical Studies of Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR), Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mercy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nhamo-Murire
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D015399:Nursing Research; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000639:trends*; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D012935:Social Justice
keywords: critical reflective enquiry; emancipatory practice; nursing practice; sexual health; sexuality; social justice