Background: This study examines the role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) as predictors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual victimization (SV) in a college aged sample in southern Appalachia. Methods: Data were obtained from a health behavior questionnaire administered online at a university in southern Appalachia from July-December 2014. The sample included 992 participants who self-reported on ACEs and adult experiences of IPV and SV. Descriptive statistics were completed for age, race, sex, ACEs (emotional, physical, or sexual abuse experiences as a child or witnessing IPV), IPV, and SV. Multiple logistic regression models were used to predict IPV and SV in separate models. Results: The sample was mostly female (69.3%), Caucasian (84.2%), and had an average age of 20 years old (M=20.1, SD= 4.05). IPV was reported by 10.5% of participants and SV by 14.1%. Predictors of IPV were: female (OR: 2.85, CI: 1.44- 5.65), emotional abuse (OR: 2.06, CI: 1.14- 3.70), sexual abuse (OR: 2.52, CI: 1.40-4.53) and age (OR: 1.10, CI: 1.06-1.15). Predictors of SV were female (OR: 3.22 CI: 1.70- 6.08), emotional abuse (OR: 2.53, CI: 1.48-4.33), sexual abuse (OR: 7.45, CI: 4.40-12.60) and age (OR: 1.06, CI: 1.02-1.12). Conclusions: Emotional and sexual abuse experiences during childhood were the greatest predictors of IPV and SV in adulthood in this college aged sample. This illustrates that children who were victims of emotional or sexual abuse have an increased risk of further abuse and/or re- victimization as adults. Females had a greater odds of experiencing IPV and SV compared to their male counterparts. Although this pilot study is limited in that looked at college students at one university, this provides a foundation for future research on predictors of IPV and SV in young adults. Further, a better understanding of ACEs and their role in adu

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become one of the world's most serious health and development challenges. It is important for African American female students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to engage in routine HIV testing and know their HIV status based on the high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS among African American women and the risk of engaging in risky sexual behavior in a college. This qualitative study was developed to help gain a better understanding of how African American female students who attend HBCUs make the decision to engage in HIV testing and their attitudes toward HIV testing. Face-to-face individual interviews were conducted to collect data from African American female students who attend a HBCU. By using the theory of reasoned action and planned behavior (TRA/TPB), behaviors, intentions, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were explored by addressing questions and topics related to attitudes and decision making toward HIV testing. The women interviewed in this study had accepting and positive attitudes toward HIV testing. Perceived risk level was the leading a factor in making the decision to be tested for HIV among participating women. Understanding how these factors affect communities will help public health professionals, educators, community leaders, university personnel, policy makers, community organizations, and researchers develop the most effective strategies for the development and delivery of HIV testing messages that target African American female students who attend HBCUs.

<p>The aim of the study was to explore the socio-cultural influences in decision making involving sexual behaviour among adolescents in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Cultural beliefs associated with adolescents&rsquo / decision to become sexually active were explored, as well as the social norms influences involved in adolescents&rsquo / sexual behaviour. The theoretical framework used for the study was Bronfenbrenner&rsquo / s ecological systems theory of development. The results indicated that adolescent pregnancy was perceived as unacceptable behaviour although found widespread in communities. Social influences such as peer influence, low socioeconomic status, alcohol use and lack of parental supervision were found to play a role in adolescents&rsquo / risky sexual behaviour. Cultural beliefs, cultural myths and social norms were identified as socio-cultural influences that endorsed issues such as gender disparities, which made adolescent mothers vulnerable. Findings from this study suggest that female adolescents are faced with sexual behaviour complexities.</p>

<p>The aim of the study was to explore the socio-cultural influences in decision making involving sexual behaviour among adolescents in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Cultural beliefs associated with adolescents&rsquo / decision to become sexually active were explored, as well as the social norms influences involved in adolescents&rsquo / sexual behaviour. The theoretical framework used for the study was Bronfenbrenner&rsquo / s ecological systems theory of development. The results indicated that adolescent pregnancy was perceived as unacceptable behaviour although found widespread in communities. Social influences such as peer influence, low socioeconomic status, alcohol use and lack of parental supervision were found to play a role in adolescents&rsquo / risky sexual behaviour. Cultural beliefs, cultural myths and social norms were identified as socio-cultural influences that endorsed issues such as gender disparities, which made adolescent mothers vulnerable. Findings from this study suggest that female adolescents are faced with sexual behaviour complexities.</p>

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / The aim of the study was to explore the socio-cultural influences in decision making involving sexual behaviour among adolescents in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Cultural beliefs associated with adolescents' decision to become sexually active were explored, as well as the social norms influences involved in adolescents' sexual behaviour. The theoretical framework used for the study was Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory of development. The results indicated that adolescent pregnancy was perceived as unacceptable behaviour although found widespread in communities. Social influences such as peer influence, low socioeconomic status, alcohol use and lack of parental supervision were found to play a role in adolescents' risky sexual behaviour. Cultural beliefs, cultural myths and social norms were identified as socio-cultural influences that endorsed issues such as gender disparities, which made adolescent mothers vulnerable. Findings from this study suggest that female adolescents are faced with sexual behaviour complexities. / South Africa

This research explored the reproductive needs of people of low socio-economic standing living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and attending public health facilities in South Africa. A qualitative research design based on the theoretical framework of critical realism using grounded theory was employed in revealing the dominant unobserved underlying mechanisms, powers and structures that influence their reproductive decision-making. HIV-positive men, HIV positive pregnant women and HIV positive non-pregnant women were recruited by HIV counsellors from the Ante-Natal Clinic and the Voluntary Counselling and Testing Clinic at the Kalafong Hospital. Individual interviews were used to explore participants’ reproductive needs. Focus group discussions were employed to holistically explore the HIV counsellors’ attitudes and perceptions regarding their clients’ reproductive needs and future family planning. Parenthood was an important factor to all participants in establishing their gender identities. Different cultural norms existed for men and women realising their reproductive needs. Society expects of women to be mothers, yet at the same time negatively judges HIV-positive women who choose to become pregnant or refuse to abort an existing pregnancy. Consequently, most women choose not to disclose their status and continue to live as if they are not HIV-positive. Having children is so important to these reproductive-aged PLWHA that they will risk their own health, the health of their partners and their babies. Emancipatory transformation of current HIV counselling services is needed and can be established by improving counsellor knowledge through training as well as giving PLWHA access to accredited HIV risk reducing services. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lk2014 / Psychology / PhD / unrestricted

This thesis focuses on the structural and behavioural factors that placed South Asian immigrant women living with HIV/AIDS in the Greater Toronto Area at risk. Informed by Connell's social theory of gender (1987), this study examined the role of hegemonic masculinity in legitimizing male power and contributing to the HIV risk of these women. By conducting one-on-one interviews with 12 HIV-positive immigrant women, meaningful constructions of the women's narratives and accounts of their experiences relative to HIV were created. This study examined the intersection of power ideologies such as gender, race and class in specific contexts as they generated particular experiences that affected women's risk for HIV. Following a community-based research approach, a collaborative relationship was established with the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention where qualitative methods of analysis and an inductive approach with an iterative process were followed. Factors such as isolation, economic dependence on their husbands, discrimination, racism, investment in psychologically and emotionally abusive relationships, combined with the absence of support from their family of origin exacerbated the women's risk of HIV infection. The strong ties exhibited by most of the women to their religious/ethnic communities helped sustain a gender-based social hierarchy. To facilitate dialogue and social change for South Asian women, gender and culture need to be situated in social and historical contexts. As such, programs should be understood within a larger critical understanding of the social power relations and history of Canadian immigration patterns. Using anti-racist frameworks, initiatives should address violence against women, while tackling interrelated issues (i.e., housing, poverty, etc.). This work draws attention to oppressions through the experiences of a community of women who are rarely given a voice within the context of research on HIV/AIDS. It will be also helpful for Ontario’s HIV prevention strategy and the field of women's sexual health.