Explore the vast range of titles available.

Dating violence (DV) is a widespread social issue that has numerous deleterious repercussions on youths’ health. Family and peer risk factors for DV have been widely studied, but with inconsistent methodologies, which complicates global comprehension of the phenomenon. Protective factors, although understudied, constitutes a promising line of research for prevention. To date, there is no comprehensive quantitative review attempting to summarize knowledge on both family and peer factors that increase or decrease the risk for adolescents and emerging adults DV victimization. The current meta-analysis draws on 87 studies with a total sample of 278,712 adolescents and young adults to examine effect sizes of the association between various family and peer correlates of DV victimization. Results suggest small, significant effect sizes for all the family (various forms of child maltreatment, parental support, and parental monitoring) and peer factors (peer victimization, sexual harassment, affiliation with deviant peers, and supportive/prosocial peers) in the prediction of DV. With few exceptions, forms of DV (psychological, physical, and sexual), gender, and age did not moderate the strength of these associations. In addition, no difference was found between the magnitude of family and peer factors’ effect sizes, suggesting that these determinants are equally important in predicting DV. The current results provide future directions for examining relations between risk and protective factors for DV and indicate that both peers and family should be part of the development of efficient prevention options.

Background Reproductive coercion (RC) is a gender-based form of violence intended to control or interfere with the reproductive autonomy of people with the capacity to become pregnant. It includes contraceptive sabotage, pregnancy pressure, and control of pregnancy outcomes. Although RC is examined mainly in intimate relationship contexts, it is not limited to them. We used an adapted critical ecological approach from a feminist perspective to explore how direct and indirect interactions between the interpersonal, community, and societal environments, all of which are shaped by cultural and social norms, can undermine contraceptive and reproductive autonomy. Methods We used a sequential multimethod research design that included a quantitative cross-sectional survey. In the first phase, a total of 427 individuals aged 29 years on average (M = 29.01; SD = 6.64) completed an online survey that contained quantitative measures of RC and intimate partner violence. Among the respondents, 33 provided answers to an open question to share RC experiences. In the second phase, a different convenience sample of 33 participants underwent individual qualitative interviews. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the quantitative data in SPSS 27 to determine the prevalence of each RC type. We independently coded the qualitative data from the open-ended question and individual interviews using NVivo 12. Results The findings improve the understanding of RC occurrence at different ecological levels as well as interactions between the levels. Interpersonal level . Many participants reported RC perpetuated by intimate partners or their entourage, mainly mothers-in-law and mothers. Entourage members use various strategies: psychological, spiritual, and emotional violence and control or financial extortion. In intimate relationships, the results show overlaps between intimate partner RC and violence: RC frequently occur in situations where their partner uses fear and/or control. Community level . The participants felt that healthcare workers (e.g., physicians, nurses) contributed to undermining their reproductive autonomy by withholding information about contraceptive methods, pressuring them to choose certain methods over others, or refusing to perform tubal ligations. Societal level . Reproductive autonomy is limited by the narrow choice of male contraceptive methods, overresponsibilisation of individuals who can become pregnant for the fertility control, lack of insurance coverage for certain contraceptive methods, and access barriers to reproductive services. Conclusion We need to better understand the contexts in which RC occurs to respond appropriately to this social and health issue. Changes are needed across levels to create environments that facilitate and promote reproductive health and autonomy.

The transition to parenthood is a momentous time that has numerous repercussions for new parents, as a couple and as individuals. This qualitative exploratory study examines new parents’ experiences and perceptions of the challenges in assuming the parenting role and maintaining relational well-being. Twenty-three new parent heterosexual or same-sex couples, belonging to various ethnocultural groups, with a child aged from 6 to 18 months, and residing in the Greater Montreal Area (Québec, Canada) underwent semi-directed dyadic interviews followed by individual interviews. Topics addressed concerned their trajectories before, during, and after the child’s birth. Thematic analysis revealed three central challenges during the transition to parenthood: (1) loss of individuality and couplehood, given the primary identity as parent; (2) parental equality in terms of childcare and the associated tasks: a significant source of irritation; and (3) managing expectations: the influence of social norms and judgments on parental self-development. Gender, the fact of having borne the child or not, and identification as a homoparental family influenced the experience of the transition to parenthood. These challenges were amplified by factors that impeded their adjustment to the new parenting role: fatigue and lack of sleep; social isolation and feelings of solitude; and the work–school–family balancing act. Recommendations aimed at the sharing of tasks, the distribution of parental leave and the gendered nature of maternity are proposed to make new and future parents aware of these game-changing transformations during the transition to parenthood.HighlightsBoth parents found it rather challenging to combine and balance their different roles and identities (parent, self, partner).Striking a fair balance in terms of childcare is a challenge: (1) its burden seemed to depend on gender, and (2) parents tended to fall into stereotyped parenting roles.Gender is not the only angle to explore the sharing childcare tasks and responsibilities, as the mental burden was heavier for the mothers who had borne the child in same-sex couples.There is notable paradox in the social norms for parenting. On the one hand, there is a strong social pressure to fully invest in this new role and to devote themselves to their baby. On the other hand, they face strong social pressure to be more than just a parent and continue to accomplish things in other life spheres.

Teen dating violence is a complex issue associated with several deleterious consequences. Previous studies emphasize the importance of considering the heterogeneity of teen dating violence experiences to better understand this issue and its correlates. In this perspective, the present study aimed to identify gender-specific patterns of teen dating violence in heterosexual relationships based on directionality (victimization and perpetration) and forms of violence (psychological, physical and sexual). In addition, this study aimed to investigate how these patterns are differentially associated with attachment insecurities and emotion dysregulation. A total of 3100 adolescents who reported being in a heterosexual romantic relationship (mean age = 15.92 years; 60% girls) completed questionnaires on teen dating violence, romantic attachment and emotion dysregulation. Latent class analyses revealed four distinct patterns of teen dating violence. The first three patterns, namely Low dating violence (40% of girls and 54% of boys), Mutual psychological dating violence (34% of girls and 33% of boys) and Mutual psychological and physical dating violence (14% of girls and 5% of boys), were found for both genders. The last pattern differed greatly based on gender and was labeled Mutual psychological dating violence and sexual victimization in girls (12%) and Multiple dating violence victimization in boys (8%). Higher levels of emotion dysregulation and attachment insecurities were found in adolescents experiencing more complex patterns of dating violence. This study contributes to the development of teen dating violence prevention and intervention programs by identifying gender-specific patterns of teen dating violence and documenting their associations with important trauma-informed correlates.

This study explores how family, secrecy and silence contribute to the adoption of stigma management strategies among youth with perinatally acquired HIV (PAHIV). A qualitative method was used. Eighteen youths with PAHIV aged 13–22 years old took part in a semi-structured interview. An exploratory content analysis was performed. Analyses of interviews allowed identification of two HIV stigma management trajectories, both sensitive to the family context: [ 1 ] a consolidation of family ties, which contributes to solidarity in stigma management; and [ 2 ] a weakening or dissolution of family ties, which contributes to solitary stigma management strategy. Family conditions that support the children in their efforts to develop active stigma management strategies are described. Children likely to experience weakening or dissolution family ties must build strong bonds in the clinical environment and maintain these into adulthood so as to afford them the support they need.

Introduction Women represent nearly one‐quarter of the 71,300 people living with HIV in Canada. Within a context of widespread HIV‐related stigma and discrimination and on‐going risks to HIV disclosure, little is known about the influence of growing social, legal and public health surveillance of HIV on sexual activity and satisfaction of women living with HIV (WLWH). Methods We analyzed baseline cross‐sectional survey data for WLWH (≥16 years, self‐identifying as women) enrolled in the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS), a multisite, longitudinal, community‐based research study in British Columbia (BC), Ontario (ON) and Quebec (QC). Sexual inactivity was defined as no consensual sex (oral or penetrative) in the prior six months, excluding recently postpartum women (≤6 months). Satisfaction was assessed using an item from the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women. Multivariable logistic regression analysis examined independent correlates of sexual inactivity. Results Of 1213 participants (26% BC, 50% ON, 24% QC), median age was 43 years (IQR: 35, 50). 23% identified as Aboriginal, 28% as African, Caribbean and Black, 41% as White and 8% as other ethnicities. Heterosexual orientation was reported by 87% of participants and LGBTQ by 13%. In total, 82% were currently taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 77% reported an undetectable viral load (VL<40 copies/mL). Overall, 49% were sexually inactive and 64% reported being satisfied with their current sex lives, including 49% of sexually inactive and 79% of sexually active women (p<0.001). Sexually inactive women had significantly higher odds of being older (AOR=1.06 per year increase; 95% CI=1.05–1.08), not being in a marital or committed relationship (AOR=4.34; 95% CI=3.13–5.88), having an annual household income below $20,000 CAD (AOR: 1.44; 95% CI=1.08–1.92), and reporting high (vs. low) HIV‐related stigma (AOR=1.81; 95% CI=1.09–3.03). No independent association was found with ART use or undetectable VL. Conclusions Approximately half of WLWH in this study reported being sexually inactive. Associations with sexual dissatisfaction and high HIV‐related stigma suggest that WLWH face challenges navigating healthy and satisfying sexual lives, despite good HIV treatment outcomes. As half of sexually inactive women reported being satisfied with their sex lives, additional research is required to determine whether WLWH are deliberately choosing abstinence as a means of resisting surveillance and disclosure expectations associated with sexual activity. Findings underscore a need for interventions to de‐stigmatize HIV, support safe disclosure and re‐appropriate the sexual rights of WLWH.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is likely to have impacts on adult survivors’ sexuality, particularly on their sexual self-concept. However, little is known about how survivors cope with CSA-related sexual impacts, including sexual self-concept impairments. Thus, this study aimed to examine the interplay between sexual self-concept and coping strategies in CSA survivors by (1) documenting the manifestations of their impaired sexual self-concepts; (2) identifying their strategies to cope with the sexual impacts of CSA; and (3) examining gender differences on sexual self-concept impairments and coping strategies. Content analysis was conducted on semi-structured interviews with 25 women and 26 men adult survivors of CSA recruited via social networks and victim support organizations. Analyses yielded three conceptual categories: (1) Developing an unconsolidated and unfavorable sexual self-concept following CSA; (2) Avoiding CSA-related sexual impacts and impaired sexual self-concept; (3) Approaching CSA-related sexual impacts with more authenticity. Men often managed their suffering and compensated for their impaired sexual self-concept by engaging in sexual dominance and over-investment, by accepting their sexual difficulties and relying on medication to overcome them. Women tended to restrict themselves and disconnect sexually to avoid suffering, complied with their partners’ sexual demands out of a sense of duty, prioritized sexual intimacy over orgasm, and seek professional help. Interventions with survivors should promote the development of approach strategies to cope with sexual difficulties, including self-concept impairments, and foster sexual authenticity.

Despite the large body of research on violence against women, violence that specifically targets women's reproductive autonomy and control over their reproductive health, called reproductive coercion (RC), is poorly documented in Canada. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of RC behaviors in an adult Canadian community sample and to explore associated factors. A self-report online questionnaire was administered from September 2020 to April 2021 in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. Participants were recruited via social media, sexual and reproductive health clinics, community-based anti-violence organizations, and the project's partner organizations. The questionnaire contained validated RC questionnaire items and new items drawn from previous qualitative work. The sample comprised 427 participants, mostly self-identified as women (92%), aged 18 to 55 years (M = 29.01; SD = 6.64). Descriptive analyses and binary logistic regressions were conducted using SPSS 27. The results of this study show that 63.9% of participants reported at least one lifetime experience of RC. According to our data, contraceptive sabotage was the most common form (62.8%). Of the participants who had been pregnant, 9.8% reported control of pregnancy outcomes. Each RC category shows a different pattern of correlates. The findings also reveal that intimate partner violence (IPV) increases the likelihood of contraceptive sabotage. Moreover, the study suggests that low education level and IPV increase the risk for control of pregnancy outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of RC in the lives of many Canadian individuals with the capacity to be pregnant, and they highlight certain factors that place individuals at greater risk for RC. This knowledge can inform the development of prevention efforts and clinical interventions.

Sexual assertiveness is often conceptualized as an individual’s ability to express one’s own sexual needs, desires, and limits. Given that sexual assertiveness is embedded in interactions and can affect not only both partners’ sexual well-being but also relationship satisfaction, dyadic approaches are needed to investigate sexual assertiveness negotiation within adolescent romantic relationships. This qualitative study aimed to document adolescents' ability to negotiate their sexual needs, desires, and limits with their partners during interactions where they discussed their sexual concerns. A directed content analysis, based on the life positions of the transactional analysis theory, was conducted on the interactions of 40 adolescent romantic dyads aged 14–19 years ( M  = 16.65; SD = 1.49). The results revealed four categories of strategies: (1) mutual assertiveness: negotiation of one’s own sexual needs, desires, and limits with those of the partner; (2) singular passiveness: repression of one’s own sexual needs, desires, and limits to privilege those of the partner; (3) singular aggressiveness: prioritization of one’s own sexual needs, desires, and limits over those of the partner; and (4) mutual lack of negotiation skills: neglecting both partners’ sexual needs, desires, and limits. Among other things, adolescents’ ability to be sexually assertive was hindered by anticipations, including assumptions leading to disregarding one’s own sexual needs, desires, and limits or fearing to ignore the partner’s. To promote mutually rewarding sexual activities and prevent sexual violence, sexual education initiatives should support adolescents’ ability to assertively negotiate their sexuality with their partner and avoid passiveness, aggressiveness, and lack of negotiation.

Objectives A substantive body of quantitative literature found links between mindfulness interventions or dispositional mindfulness and increased relationality and/or sexuality. However, there needs to be a better understanding of the contexts in which the links between mindfulness and relationality/sexuality may occur, which qualitative studies may provide. Method A metasynthesis of qualitative studies aims to reinterpret the results of qualitative studies in one field of research. Therefore, we produced a metasynthesis of 8 peer-reviewed, published articles exploring the impacts of mindfulness practices and interventions on relationality/sexuality to produce new insights on this burgeoning field of research. Results The increase of mindfulness is experienced through the development of two main traits that are related to sexuality and relationality, namely, accepting oneself and others as they are, as well as paying attention in the present moment, which leads to awareness and a new approach on life. Then, practicing mindfulness allows benefits marked by a surging connectedness with others and contentment with one’s life and self. Finally, limits of mindfulness practices and interventions marked by restraining conditions of life are found, such as the hardships of pursuing the practice of mindfulness, initial sexual/relational difficulties that require patience, and an insufficient connectedness with significant others that hinders progress. Conclusion Mindfulness-based practices and interventions are a helpful technique to reduce sexual/relational difficulties and enhance one’s quality of life in these realms but should not be considered and approached as a panacea to such difficulties.