Experience of Abuse and its Association With Self-Reported and Coded Indicators of Sexual Health Commination Ability

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session III
  In Interactive Paper Session: Health Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

Abuse, as defined for national surveillance by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, includes physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Experiencing abuse has been associated with engaging in sexual behaviors that increase the risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Of particular interest is the extent to which characteristics of young women’s current intimate partner relationships and their abilities to negotiate condom use with partners might mediate this association, thus suggesting that enhancing relationship and partner communication skills as a potential target for sexual health interventions for young women. Sales and colleagues found that partner communication skills partially mediated the relationship between sexual victimization and condom use among African American young women. However, this study used a very stringent form of abuse and relied only on self-reports of communication ability. The present study examines the association between abuse, using a more broadly conceptualized definition that includes physical and emotional abuse, and both self-reported and coded partner communication behavior.

Authors

• Jessica McDermott Sales, Emory U

• Jennifer L. Monahan, U of Georgia

• Jennifer A. Samp, U of Georgia

• Laura Min Mercer Kollar, U of Georgia

• Teaniese P. Davis, Morehouse U

• Valerie Berenice Coles, U of Georgia

• Erin L. P. Bradley, Spelman College

• Eve Rose, Emory U

• Ralph J. DiClemente, Emory U