Pursuing Pleasure Despite Pain: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Black Women’s Responses to Sexual Pain and Coping

Malone, Natalie; Thorpe, Shemeka; Jester, Jasmine K.; Dogan, Jardin; Stevens‐Watkins, Danelle; Hargons, Candice N.

doi:10.1080/0092623x.2021.2012309

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…To ensure proper treatment occurs, both Black women and providers should be aware of the effects of double consciousness (i.e., feeling as though one’s Blackness is divided into two parts; the “two-ness” of being a Black person and a Black person in America; (Du Bois, 1903) on Black women’s healthcare experiences. The negative consequences of gendered-racism embedded in the healthcare system and internalized by some Black women have caused negative emotions like sexual shame and embarrassment, sexual pain stigma, healthcare stereotype threat, and sexual pain minimization (Abdou & Fingerhut, 2014; Malone et al, 2021; Rao, 2020; Witzeman et al, 2020). To navigate internal conflict related to sexual pain, Black women should receive increased access to resources informing them of how gendered-racism impacts their sexual and reproductive health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Why Would I Talk To Them About Sex?”: Exploring Patient-Provider Communication Among Black Women Experiencing Sexual Pain

Thorpe

Iyiewuare

Ware³

et al. 2022

Qual Health Res

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Ineffective patient-provider communication poses a potential health risk to Black women if medical providers are not addressing their needs or concerns. Additionally, less than half of OBGYNs report asking their patients about sexual difficulties, which limits women’s opportunities to disclose their experiences of sexual pain. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore Black women’s experiences of patient-provider communication about sexual pain (reoccurring unwanted genital pain). Specifically, we aimed to describe the pathway from sexual pain disclosure to treatment among N = 25 premenopausal Black women living in the southern United States who were experiencing sexual pain. Using constructivist grounded theory, open-ended responses to six interview questions related to healthcare experiences, treatment, and patient-provider communication were qualitatively analyzed and categorized to form a conceptual framework of patient-provider communication about sexual pain. Five key categories emerged related to Black women’s experiences with their medical providers regarding sexual pain: (1) provider preferences, (2) healthcare experiences, (3) reasons for non-disclosure, (4) provider responses to sexual pain, and (5) treatment for sexual pain. Useful strategies to improve patient-provider communication are presented for both patients and providers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Why Would I Talk To Them About Sex?”: Exploring Patient-Provider Communication Among Black Women Experiencing Sexual Pain

Thorpe

Iyiewuare

Ware³

et al. 2022

Qual Health Res

Self Cite

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“…As the Superwoman Schema “keeps [the Black woman] from identifying what she needs and reaching out for help” (Romero, 2000, p. 225), it is crucial to address how pressures to bear hardships without complaint may contribute to Black women’s hesitations to seek professional intervention in the case of sexual violence and abuse. Indeed, research has found that Black women were at increased risk for sexual violence (Hodges & Cabanilla, 2011), may ignore their sexual pain (Malone et al, 2021), and were less likely to seek social support from others compared to women from other racial groups, partially due to sociocultural pressure to present an image of strength (Catabay et al, 2019; Watson-Singleton, 2017). Black women may persevere through domestic hardship for the greater good of the Black community (i.e., avoid proliferating negative stereotypes about Black male sexual aggression, pressures to protect Black men from a racist legal system; Donovan & Williams, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Black Women’s Sexual Assertiveness and Satisfaction: The Role of the Superwoman Schema

Perkins

Aleibar

Leath

et al. 2022

Journal of Black Psychology

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Although extant research highlights the detrimental effects of the Superwoman Schema (SWS) on Black women’s physical and psychological well-being, researchers have yet to examine the implications of SWS endorsement on Black women’s sexual attitudes and behaviors. As a culturally salient racialized gender schema that reifies Black women’s supposed superhuman emotional and physical strength, to what extent does endorsement of the SWS contribute to Black women’s reported sexual assertiveness and satisfaction? In the present work, 406 Black women completed an online survey measuring their endorsement of the SWS, as well as their sexual assertiveness and sexual satisfaction. SWS dimensions moderated the association between sexual assertiveness and sexual satisfaction. Findings from the present study highlight the importance of considering culturally salient racialized gender schemas when examining Black women’s sexual attitudes and behaviors.

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“…Informational power is a metric for systematically determining an adequately powered sample size in qualitative and mixed-methods studies; it suits research using mixed-method methodologies and indicates that sample size should be determined based on the value of information participants contribute to the data set. Further, this approach to determining adequate sample size has successfully been used to study the sexual experiences of Black people through mixed-methods studies (e.g., Malone et al, 2022; Thorpe et al, 2022). The proposed guidelines for informational power include study aim, sample specificity, presence or absence of a guiding theory, quality or depth of qualitative response, and data analytic strategy (Malterud et al, 2016).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“It’s what boys do”: Valence, source, and content of Black men’s masturbation messages.

Hargons,

Wright,

Thorpe

et al. 2024

Psychology of Men & Masculinities

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In recent years, masturbation has become a less stigmatized topic and practice, suggesting a change in the masturbation messages that are communicated. Boys and men have often received neutral or positive messages about masturbation from their social networks and media; however, Black men’s masturbation socialization has yet to be examined. As a function of marginalized race and privileged gender, Black men occupy a unique standpoint that may influence the valence and content of the masturbation messages they receive. This study employed exploratory sequential mixed methods to analyze data from 149 Black cismen about the masturbation messages they received. The analysis revealed six themes: (a) masturbation is shameful, (b) masturbation is sinful, (c) masturbation is a sign of inadequacy, (d) masturbation is a normal, healthy part of manhood, (e) masturbation messages change as a function of age, and (f) masturbation has pros and cons. By focusing on message valence, sexual socialization, and identity, this research informs the theoretical understanding of masturbation messages and provides insight into Black men’s sexual development.

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Pursuing Pleasure Despite Pain: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Black Women’s Responses to Sexual Pain and Coping

Cited by 12 publications

References 37 publications

“Why Would I Talk To Them About Sex?”: Exploring Patient-Provider Communication Among Black Women Experiencing Sexual Pain

“Why Would I Talk To Them About Sex?”: Exploring Patient-Provider Communication Among Black Women Experiencing Sexual Pain

Black Women’s Sexual Assertiveness and Satisfaction: The Role of the Superwoman Schema

“It’s what boys do”: Valence, source, and content of Black men’s masturbation messages.

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