Assessing the Theory of Gender and Power: HIV Risk Among Heterosexual Minority Dyads

Abstract

This study drew on the Theory of Gender and Power (TGP) as a framework to assess power inequalities within heterosexual dyads and their effects on women. Structural equation modeling was used to better understand the relationship between structural and interpersonal power and HIV sexual risk within African American and Latina women's heterosexual dyads. The main outcome variable was women's sexual HIV risk in the dyad and was created using women's reports of condomless sex with their main male partners and partners' reports of their HIV risk behaviors. Theoretical associations developed a priori yielded a well-fitting model that explained almost a quarter of the variance in women's sexual HIV risk in main partner dyads. Women's and partner structural power were indirectly associated with women's sexual HIV risk through substance use and interpersonal power. Interpersonal power was directly associated with risk. In addition, this study found that not identifying as heterosexual was directly and indirectly associated with women's heterosexual sex risk. This study provides further support for the utility of the TGP and the relevance of gender-related power dynamics for HIV prevention among heterosexually-active women.

Do women empowerment indicators predict receipt of quality antenatal care in Cameroon? Evidence from a nationwide survey

“…The third structure, cathexis, is particularly relevant to the issue of approval of wife-beating because it emphasizes the structure of affective attachments and social norms, characterized by the emotional and sexual attachments that women have with men [ 45 ]. This theory has been applied in similar contexts to explain the HIV risk among women [ 46 ]. Therefore, maternal programs, advocacy, and practitioners must consider these norms in their maternal education programs.…”

Structural Barriers to HIV Prevention and Services: Perspectives of African American Women in Low-Income Communities

“…Gendered power dynamics further hindered women's capacities to make positive health behavior choices. The Theory of Gender and Power has been shown to help frame gendered relationship dynamics, such as those identified here (Hill et al, 2017;Rinehart et al, 2018;Wingood & DiClemente, 2000;Wingood et al, 2009). Our findings reiterate other studies showing that women who face gender ratio imbalance may lack negotiating power in relationships with men, tolerate less preferred, less economically stable or nonmonogamus partners, and acquiesce to unprotected sex or concurrent sexual relationships (Bowleg et al, 2004;Newsome & Airhihenbuwa, 2015).…”

“…Findings from the analysis were organized into the Gelberg–Andersen model ( Figure 1 ) to understand factors that affect HIV prevention services and practices used among the study population. The Theory of Gender and Power was used to inform our analysis of the women’s experiences with their sexual partners ( Rinehart et al, 2018 ; Wingood & DiClemente, 2000 ; Wingood et al., 2009 ).…”

Evaluating a Dyadic Intervention on Risk Reduction Among People Who Inject Drugs

“…5,10,[22][23][24][25] Although we cannot delineate whether women were more motivated to participate in our dyad intervention as a function of their desire to reduce risk with partners from other motivators, we know that injection risk decision making can be influenced by the relationship dynamics between partners, especially in light of sex imbalances, partner pressure, and intimate partner violence. 7,8,9,26 In addition, it is possible that those who chose to participate in the dyadic session were already accessing harm reduction services and were more motivated to learn and practice safer harm reduction behaviors than those who did not participate. Future research is necessary to understand the effects by sex and the interpersonal dynamics that influence dyadic interventions on reducing risk among people who inject drugs.…”