Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00653575

Adult Sexual Risk Behavior Among Women With a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse

This study will evaluate whether childhood experiences are related to current sexual behavior of adult women.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

HIV Infections Behavior Blood-Borne Infections Child Abuse, Sexual Coitus Communicable Diseases Disease Attributes Genital Diseases Immune System Diseases Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes Infections Lentivirus Infections Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms RNA Virus Infections Retroviridae Infections Sexual Behavior Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral Urogenital Diseases Virus Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Monroe County Health Department STD Clinic

Rochester, New York, 14611, United States

About this study

Adverse childhood events, including physical and sexual abuse, can cause significant distress for those affected, during both childhood and adulthood. Childhood abuse appears to increase the risk of a number of negative outcomes later in life, including psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Previous research has consistently found an association between childhood sexual abuse and greater rates of adult sexual risk behavior. However, improved understanding of how childhood sexual abuse relates to adult sexual risk behavior is needed. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills and Traumagenic Dynamics models are theories used to investigate determinants of sexual behavior and effects of childhood abuse. Using these models to examine the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual risk behavior may help in creating effective sexual risk reduction interventions for women abused during childhood. This study will evaluate whether childhood experiences are related to current sexual behavior of adult women. The study will also evaluate which theory, the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model or the Traumagenic Dynamics model, better mediates the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual risk behavior.

Participation in this study will include one study visit. Participants will first complete a 45-minute computerized survey that includes questions about childhood experiences; family environment; current health and behavior; attitudes, knowledge, and thoughts about sex and relationships; control over life circumstances; and substance use. Participants will then engage in two brief role plays in which they will either make a request of their partner or must stand up for themselves. For the last part of the visit, participants will be asked questions about condoms and condom use and will be asked to place a condom on a model used in the clinic.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Understands English

Exclusion criteria

  • Impaired mentally

Treatment and study plan

Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model

Behavioral

The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model is an influential and empirically supported theory of health behavior. The model suggests that HIV-related information, motivation, and behavioral skills are important determinants of sexual behavior; thus, childhood sexual abuse may lead to deficits in these areas. This model will be used to guide research interviews.

Traumagenic Dynamics model

Behavioral

The Traumagenic Dynamics model is an influential and empirically supported model of the effects of childhood sexual abuse. The model suggests that childhood sexual abuse leads to traumatic sexualization, stigmatization, betrayal, and powerlessness and that these four traumagenic dynamics lead to adverse outcomes, including increased rates of sexual risk behavior. This model will be used to guide research interviews.

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of sexual partners

    Time frame: Measured at Month 3

Secondary outcomes

  1. Frequency of unprotected intercourse

    Time frame: Measured at Month 3

  2. Proportion of episodes of unprotected intercourse

    Time frame: Measured at Month 3

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Syracuse University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Registry information

Official study title

HIV Risk Among Women With a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2010
Study completion
2010
First posted
Apr 7, 2008
Registry last updated
Apr 15, 2013

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.