Skip to main content
Log in

HIV/STD Risk Factors for Women with Violent Male Partners

  • Published:
Sex Roles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study compared 167 women, categorized as nonabused, emotionally abused, or physically abused in their primary relationships, on sexual risk factors. Physically abused women differed in several ways: greater STD risk, psychosocial distress, and substance use; more traditional gender role beliefs; lower self-esteem; more likely to have been raped and to engage in sex for pay; and less likely to attend the project's STD/HIV risk reduction groups. Within primary relationships, they differed in amount of decision-making power about safer sex, likelihood of nonmonogamy, use of substances before sex, and self-efficacy about initiating condom use. African American women reported higher rates of emotional abuse than White women, a finding related mainly to their lower socioeconomic status in this sample.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Abraham, C. & Sheeran, P.(1994).Modeling and modifying young heterosexuals' HIVpreventive behavior: A review of theories, findings and educational implications.Patient Education and Counseling, 23, 173–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aggleton, P., O'Reilly, K., Slutkin, G., & Davies, P.(1994).Risking everything: Risk behavior, behavior change and AIDS.Science, 265, 341–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allers, C.T., & Benjack, K.J.(1991).Connections between childhood abuse andHIV infection.Journal of Counseling and Development, 70, 309–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amaro, H.(1995).Love, sex, and power: Considering women's realities in HIV prevention.American Psychologist, 50, 437–447.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ajzen, I., and Fishbein, M.(1980).Understanding attitudes and predicting social behavior.Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aral, S.O., & Peterman, T.A.(1993).Defining behavioral methods to prevent sexually transmitted diseases through intervention research.Infectious Disease Clinics of North America, 7, 861–873.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, S.A., Morrison, D.M., Carter, W.B., & Verdon, M.(1996).Using the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to understand the decision to use condoms in an STD clinic population.Health Education Quarterly, 23, 528–542.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bard, M., & Sangrey, D.(1986).The crime victim's book(2nd ed.).New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briere, J.(1992).Methodological issues in the study of sexual abuse effects.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 196–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne, A.(1987).When battered women kill.New York: Macmillan/Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne, A.(1993).Violence against women by male partners: Prevalence, outcomes and policy implications.American Psychologist, 48, 1077–1087.

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne, A., & Finkelhor, D.(1986).Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research.Psychological Bulletin, 99, 66–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carballo-Dieguez, A., & Dolezal, C.(1995).Association between history of childhood sexual abuse and adult HIV-risk sexual behavior in Puerto Rican men who have sex with men.Child Abuse and Neglect, 19, 595–605.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chassin, L., Presson, C.C., Sherman, S.J., Corty, E., & Olshavsky, R.W.(1984).Predicting the onset of cigarette smoking in adolescents: A longitudinal study.Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 14, 224–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, R.M., Stiffman, A.R., Dore, P., & Earls, F.(1994).The association of physical and sexual abuse with HIV risk behaviors in adolescence and young adulthood: Implications for public health.Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 233–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L.R.(1993).BSI: Brief Symptom Inventory.Minneapolis, MN: National Computer Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doll, L.S., Joy, D., Bartholow, B.N., Harrison, J.S., Bolan, G., Douglas, J.M., Saltzman, L.E., Moss, P.M., & Delgado, W.(1992).Self-reported childhood and adolescent sexual abuse among adult homosexual and bisexual men.Child Abuse and Neglect, 16, 855–864.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drew, W.L., Blair, M., Miner, R.C., & Conant, M.(1990).Evaluation of the virus permeability of a new condom for women.Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 17, 110–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, M.A.(1992).Empowering and healing the battered woman: A model for assessment and intervention.New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farr, G., Gabelnick, H.L., Sturgen, K., & Dorflinger, L.L.(1994).Contraceptive efficacy and acceptability of the female condom.American Journal of Public Health, 84, 1960–1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D.(1990).Early and long-term effects of child sexual abuse: An update.Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 21, 325–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D., & Browne, A.(1985).The traumatic impact of child sexual abuse:Aconceptualization.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 55, 530–541.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, J.D., & Fisher, W.A.(1992).Changing AIDS-risk behavior.Psychological Bulletin, 111, 455–474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Follingstad, D.R., Rutledge, L.L., Berg, B.J., Hause, E.S., & Polek, D.S.(1990).The role of emotional abuse in physically abusive relationships.Journal of Family Violence, 5, 107–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frieze, I.H., Hymer, S., & Greenberg, M.S.(1987).Describing the crime victim: Psychological reactions to victimization.Professional Psychology, 18, 299–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fromuth, M.E.(1986).The relationship of childhood sexual abuse with later psychological and sexual adjustment in a sample of college women.Child Abuse and Neglect, 10, 5–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gazmarian, J.A., Adams, M.M., Saltzman, L.E., Johnson, C.H., Bruce, F.C., Marks, J.S., & Zahniser, S.C.(1995).The relationship between pregnancy intendedness and physical violence in mothers of newborns.Obstetrics and Gynecology, 85, 1031–1038.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gelles, R.J., & Harrop, J.W.(1989).Violence, battering, and psychological distress among women.Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 4, 400–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilligan, C.(1982).In a Different Voice.Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, L.A., Koss, M.P., Fitzgerald, L.F., Russo, N.F., & Keita, G.P.(1993).Male violence against women: Current research and future directions.American Psychologist, 48, 1054–1058.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grube, J.W., Morgan, M., & McGree, S.T.(1986).Attitudes and normative beliefs as predictors of smoking intentions and behaviours: A test of three models.British Journal of Social Psychology, 25, 81–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, G.R., Heise, L., Weiss, E., & Whelen, D.(1996, July).Fostering linkages between the AIDS community and the violence against women movement.Poster presented at the XI International Conference on AIDS, Vancouver, Canada.

  • Hotaling, G.T., & Sugarman, D.B.(1986).An analysis of risk markers in husband to wife violence: The current state of knowledge.Violence and Victims, 1, 101–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaccard, J., & Sheng, D.(1984).A comparison of six methods for assessing the importance of perceived consequences in behavioral decisions: Applications from attitude research.Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 20, 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janz, N.K., & Becker, M.H.(1984).The health belief model:Adecade later.Health Education Quarterly, 11, 1–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsen, L.W., & Harlow, L.L.(1996).Childhood sexual abuse linked with adult substance use, victimization, and AIDS risk.AIDS Education and Prevention, 8, 44–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kestelman, P., & Trussell, J.(1991).Efficacy of simultaneous use of condoms and spermicides.Family Planning Perspectives, 23, 226–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Koss, M.P., Goodman, L.A., Browne, A., Fitzgerald, L.F., Puryear-Keita, G., & Russo, N.F.(1994).No safe haven: Male violence against women at home, at work, and in the community.Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leviton, L.C., & Valdisserri, R.O.(1990).Evaluating AIDS prevention: Outcome, implementation, and mediating variables.Evaluation and Program Planning, 13, 55–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockhart, L., & White, B.W.(1989).Understanding marital violence in the Black community.Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 4, 421–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lodico, M.A., & DiClemente, R.J.(1994).The association between childhood sexual abuse and prevalence of HIV-related risk behaviors.Clinical Pediatrics, 33, 498–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, K.O., & Lu, Y.(1988).Attitudes toward women's familial roles: Changes in the United States, 1977–1985.Gender and Society, 2, 39–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mays, V.M., & Cochran, S.D.(1988).Issues in the perception of AIDS risk and risk reduction activities by Black and Hispanic/Latina women.American Psychologist, 43, 949–957.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J.B.(1976).Toward a new psychology of women.Boston: Beacon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J.B., & Stiver, I.P.(1993).A relational approach to understanding women's lives and problems.Psychiatric Annals 23, 424–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, M., & Grube, J.W.(1989).Adolescent cigarette smoking: A developmental analysis of influence.British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 7, 179–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrill, A.C., & Ickovics, J.R.(1996, July).Surviving abuse and HIV risk: How women's experiences of abuse shape their heterosexual risk for HIV.Poster presented at the XI International Conference on AIDS, Vancouver, Canada.

  • Morrison, D.M., Baker, S.A., & Gillmore, M.R.(1998).Condom use among high-risk teens: A longitudinal analysis using the theory of reasoned action.Psychology and Health, 13, 207–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, D.M., Gillmore, M.R., & Baker, S.A.(1995).Determinants of condom use among high-risk heterosexual adults: A test of the theory of reasoned action.Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 25, 651–676.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Leary, K.D., & Jouriles, E.N.(1994).Psychological abuse between adult partners: Prevalence and impact on partners and children.In L. L'Abate(Ed.), Handbook of developmental family psychology and psychopathology (pp.330–349).New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinn, T.C.(1996).Global burden of the HIV pandemic.Lancet, 348, 99–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riggs, S., Alario, A.J., & McHorney, C.(1990).Health risk behaviors and attempted suicide in adolescents who report prior maltreatment.Journal of Pediatrics, 116, 815–821.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M.(1965).Society and the adolescent self-image.Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothenberg, K.H., Paskey, S.J., Reuland, M.M., Zimmerman, S.I., & North, R.L.(1995).Domestic violence and partner notification: Implications for treatment and counseling of women with HIV.Journal of the American Medical Women's Association, 50, 87–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, J.B., Aasland, O.G., Babor, T.F., de la Fuente, J.R., & Grant, M.(1993).Development of the Alcohol UseDisorders Screening Test (AUDIT):WHOcollaborative project on early detection of persons with harmful alcohol consumption II.Addiction, 88, 791–804.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, J., Zierler, S., Dean, D., Goodman, A., Chalfen, B., & DeGroot, A.S.(1994).Prevalence of prior sexual abuse and HIV risk-taking behaviors in incarcerated women in Massachusetts.Unpublished manuscript, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.

  • Trussell, J., Sturgen, K., Strickler, J., & Dominik, R.(1994).Comparative contraceptive efficacy of the female condom and other barrier methods.Family Planning Perspectives, 26, 66–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ucko, L.G.(1994).Culture and violence: The interaction of Africa and America.Sex Roles, 31, 185–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Straten, A., King, R., Grinstead, O., Serufilira, A., & Allen, S.(1995).Couple communication, sexual coercion and HIV risk reduction in Kigali, Rwanda.AIDS, 9,935–944.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L.E.(1991).Post-traumatic stress disorder in women: Diagnosis and treatment of battered woman syndrome.Psychotherapy, 28, 21–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weeks, M.R., Schensul, J.J., Williams, S.S., Singer, M., & Grier, M.(1995) AIDS prevention for African-American and Latina women: Building culturally and gender-appropriate intervention.AIDS Education and Prevention, 7, 251–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein, N.D (1993).Testing four competing theories of health-protective behavior.Health Psychology, 12, 324–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyatt, G.E., Guthrie, D., & Notgrass, C.M.(1992).Differential effects of women's child sexual abuse and subsequent sexual revictimization.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 167–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zierler, S., Feingold, L., Laufer, D., Velentgas, P., Kantrowitz-Gordon, I., & Mayer, K.(1991).Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and subsequent risk of HIV infection.American Journal of Public Health, 81, 572–575.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Beadnell, B., Baker, S.A., Morrison, D.M. et al. HIV/STD Risk Factors for Women with Violent Male Partners. Sex Roles 42, 661–689 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007003623810

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007003623810

Keywords

Navigation