Associations Between Sexual Violence and Women’s Sexual Attitudes, Sexual Self-Consciousness, and Sexual Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Sexual violence, a public health problem, can be seen in all societies and among individuals from all levels of educational background. It is important to be aware of the social and individual factors associated with sexual violence to prevent and fight sexual violence. In this study, it was aimed to determine the associations between sexual violence and women’s sexual attitudes, sexual self-consciousness, and sexual self-efficacy. This is a descriptive study. The data were collected from 469 women admitted to three family health centers in Turkey between May and September 2018. Data were collected using a data collection form and three scales (the Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale, the Sexual Self-efficacy Scale, and the Hendrick Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as the independent-sample t test and logistic regression analysis. It was found that 37.7% of the women were exposed to sexual violence. The most frequent response of the women against sexual violence was “crying” with 61%. The first reason why the women maintained the marriage despite sexual violence was to avoid their children growing up without a father (43.3%). There was a statistically significant difference between sexual violence and sexual embarrassment, sexual self-focus, sexual self-consciousness, and sexual self-efficacy scores of the women ( p < .001). No significant difference between the means of the women’s sexual attitude scores and their sexual violence experiences was observed ( p = .526). There was an association between sexual violence and sexual self-efficacy ( p = .036; odds ratio [OR] = 1.030, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.002, 1.059]). Health professionals may provide sexuality education programs at family health centers, especially for couples preparing for marriage to increase sexual efficacy. Moreover, education may be provided identifying sexual violence acts in marriage and informative awareness programs may be offered regarding sexual violence.

The Effect of Exposure to Sexual Violence on Sexual Dysfunction and Sexual Distress in Pregnant Women

“…This can make it difficult to define and measure sexual violence in intimate relationships. 37,45 Therefore, more studies are needed to determine perinatal sexual violence, which may create important problems in terms of maternal and fetal health. The evaluation of sexual violence by nurses in antenatal visit and early detection of risky pregnant women are important for maternal and fetus health.…”

“…The socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics and exposure to sexual violence were evaluated with questions prepared based on the literature. 22,37 The statements evaluating the sexual violence incidence were itemized, and the women were asked to mark "yes" for the items that applied to them and "no" for those that did not. *None of the pregnant women were using alcohol.…”

Determination of Sexual Attitude, Sexual Self-Consciousness, and Sociocultural Status in Women With and Without Lifelong Vaginismus: A Case-Control Study

“…Women who were presented to the gynecology outpatient clinic of the hospital between May 2020 and December 2020 and met the inclusion criteria constituted the population of the study. Since the effect size could not be obtained from the Brief Sexual Attitude Scale and sexual self-awareness scale, a sample calculation could not be made using these scales (Dikmen & Cankaya, 2020; Karacam et al, 2012; Yıldırım, 2017). For this reason, in order to reach 90% study power at 5% Type I error level with 0.50 (medium) effect width, it was calculated that 70 women should be included in each group.…”

“…Suppression of sexuality or negative attitudes toward sexuality in women may result in lowered sexual self-awareness, sexual shyness, lack of sexual self-confidence, and sexual inadequacy (Çelik, 2013; Dikmen, & Cankaya, 2020). Sexual self-consciousness consists of the following components: thinking about sexuality, focusing on sexuality, perspectives on sexual life, and social pressure felt about sexual behaviors (Çelik, 2013; Sungur, 2012;).…”

Seksualinio Smurto Priežasčių Ir Prevencijos Analizė

“…Su smurtu prieš moteris yra susiję nemažai stereotipų, sunkinančių prevenciją, todėl norint išvengti seksualinio smurto atvejų, svarbu išsiaiškinti priežastis, socialinius bei individualius veiksnius, lemiančius tokio smurto pasireiškimą [8]. 2018 metais Žmogaus teisių stebėjimo instituto atliktas tyrimas parodė, kad Lietuvoje seksualinis smurtas yra viena mažiausiai atpažįstamų smurto artimoje aplinkoje prieš moteris formų [9].…”