A Brief Report on the Association between Dissociation during Sex and Condom Use Self-Efficacy among Women Residing in Domestic Violence Shelters

Abstract

Objective: Female survivors of intimate partner violence have greater risk for contracting HIV/ STI's and experiencing dissociation. However, no studies have examined the association between dissociation and condom use self-efficacy in this population. This study explored whether dissociation during sex was negatively associated with condom use self-efficacy.Methods: Thirty-five women (88% African American) who were residing in domestic violence shelters in the United States completed questionnaires.Results: There was a negative correlation between dissociative experiences during sex and condom use self-efficacy, r = −.62, n=35, p< .01. Conclusions:Findings suggest that dissociation during sex interferes with abused women's condom use self-efficacy.