Psychosocial correlates of gender-based violence among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women in three US cities

Rebecca M. Schwartz, Kathleen M. Weber, Gabrielle E. Schechter, Nina C. Connors, Yolene Gousse, Mary A. Young, Mardge H. Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is common among women with and at risk for HIV, yet little is known about the GBV associated psychological factors that could be modifiable through behavioral interventions. The current study examined the associations between some of these psychological factors (i.e., hopelessness, consideration of future consequences, self esteem), mental health symptoms, substance abuse, and GBV among a sample of 736 HIV-infected and sociodemographically similar uninfected participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). Results indicated high rates of lifetime GBV among the sample (58%), as well as high rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) (22.2%). HIV-infected women were more likely to be hopeless and to experience lower consideration of future consequences as compared to uninfected women. Multivariable analysis indicated that current non-injection drug use and a history of injection drug use were the main correlates of GBV and CSA, even when other psychosocial variables were included in analytic models. Being born outside of the US reduced the likelihood of GBV and CSA. Future research directions and intervention implications are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)260-267
Number of pages8
JournalAIDS Patient Care and STDs
Volume28
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2014
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Psychosocial correlates of gender-based violence among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women in three US cities'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this