Adult Sexual Risk Behavior Among Women With a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse

April 12, 2013 updated by: Syracuse University

HIV Risk Among Women With a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse

This study will evaluate whether childhood experiences are related to current sexual behavior of adult women.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Adverse childhood events, including physical and sexual abuse, can cause significant distress for those affected, during both childhood and adulthood. Childhood abuse appears to increase the risk of a number of negative outcomes later in life, including psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Previous research has consistently found an association between childhood sexual abuse and greater rates of adult sexual risk behavior. However, improved understanding of how childhood sexual abuse relates to adult sexual risk behavior is needed. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills and Traumagenic Dynamics models are theories used to investigate determinants of sexual behavior and effects of childhood abuse. Using these models to examine the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual risk behavior may help in creating effective sexual risk reduction interventions for women abused during childhood. This study will evaluate whether childhood experiences are related to current sexual behavior of adult women. The study will also evaluate which theory, the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model or the Traumagenic Dynamics model, better mediates the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual risk behavior.

Participation in this study will include one study visit. Participants will first complete a 45-minute computerized survey that includes questions about childhood experiences; family environment; current health and behavior; attitudes, knowledge, and thoughts about sex and relationships; control over life circumstances; and substance use. Participants will then engage in two brief role plays in which they will either make a request of their partner or must stand up for themselves. For the last part of the visit, participants will be asked questions about condoms and condom use and will be asked to place a condom on a model used in the clinic.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

481

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New York
      • Rochester, New York, United States, 14611
        • Monroe County Health Department STD Clinic

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study will include women seeking treatment at the Monroe County Health Department STD Clinic.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Understands English

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Impaired mentally

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
1
Women who report a history of childhood sexual abuse
Behavioral: Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model
The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model is an influential and empirically supported theory of health behavior. The model suggests that HIV-related information, motivation, and behavioral skills are important determinants of sexual behavior; thus, childhood sexual abuse may lead to deficits in these areas. This model will be used to guide research interviews.
Behavioral: Traumagenic Dynamics model
The Traumagenic Dynamics model is an influential and empirically supported model of the effects of childhood sexual abuse. The model suggests that childhood sexual abuse leads to traumatic sexualization, stigmatization, betrayal, and powerlessness and that these four traumagenic dynamics lead to adverse outcomes, including increased rates of sexual risk behavior. This model will be used to guide research interviews.
2
Women who do not report a history of childhood sexual abuse
Behavioral: Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model
The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model is an influential and empirically supported theory of health behavior. The model suggests that HIV-related information, motivation, and behavioral skills are important determinants of sexual behavior; thus, childhood sexual abuse may lead to deficits in these areas. This model will be used to guide research interviews.
Behavioral: Traumagenic Dynamics model
The Traumagenic Dynamics model is an influential and empirically supported model of the effects of childhood sexual abuse. The model suggests that childhood sexual abuse leads to traumatic sexualization, stigmatization, betrayal, and powerlessness and that these four traumagenic dynamics lead to adverse outcomes, including increased rates of sexual risk behavior. This model will be used to guide research interviews.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Number of sexual partners
Time Frame: Measured at Month 3
Measured at Month 3

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Frequency of unprotected intercourse
Time Frame: Measured at Month 3
Measured at Month 3
Proportion of episodes of unprotected intercourse
Time Frame: Measured at Month 3
Measured at Month 3

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Syracuse University

Collaborators

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Theresa E. Senn, PhD, Syracuse University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

August 1, 2008

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2010

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 3, 2008

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 3, 2008

First Posted (Estimate)

April 7, 2008

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

April 15, 2013

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 12, 2013

Last Verified

April 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • R21MH083502 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • DAHBR 9A-ASPQ (NIMH)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on HIV Infections

Clinical Trials on Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Turkmenistan

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

3
Subscribe