Recent Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Risk and HIV-Related Worry: Examining the Mediating Effects of Sexual Autonomy

Abstract

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important determinant of poor sexual and reproductive health. One’s sense of sexual autonomy may be an important concept in the context of IPV and sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Compromised sexual autonomy may explain the risk of poor sexual and reproductive health among individuals who experienced IPV; yet few studies have examined the role of sexual autonomy. The current study examined the mediating effects of sexual autonomy on the association between recent IPV, sexual risk and HIV-related worry. Methods: One hundred ninety-eight sexually active women and men involved in past-year romantic partnerships completed an online survey in 2016. Path analysis was used to test the direct and indirect effects of sexual autonomy. Results: Recent IPV predicted lower sexual autonomy (B = −.29, SE =.15, p