Jennifer J. Connor

Parent-child relationships as systems of support or risk for adolescent suicidality.

This study examined a process model of predicting adolescent suicidality. Adolescent emotional distress was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between parental behaviors and subsequent adolescent suicidality. The parental behaviors studied included parental warmth and parental hostility. A sample of 451 families from rural Iowa participated in this longitudinal study, which included both observational and self-report data. Models were tested with structural equation modeling. Adolescent emotional distress was found to be a mediating variable between paternal warmth and adolescent suicidality. Results indicated that maternal warmth predicted adolescent suicidality but not emotional distress. Parental hostility did not predict either latent variable. Clinical implications are provided.

Sexual Health Care, Sexual Behaviors and Functioning, and Female Genital Cutting: Perspectives From Somali Women Living in the United States

We investigated the sexual values, attitudes, and behaviors of 30 Somali female refugees living in a large metropolitan area of Minnesota by collecting exploratory sexual health information based on the components of the sexual health model—components posited to be essential aspects of healthy human sexuality. A Somali-born bilingual interviewer conducted the semistructured interviews in English or Somali; 22 participants chose to be interviewed in Somali. Interviews were translated, transcribed, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analyses. Our study findings highlighted a sexually conservative culture that values sexual intimacy, female and male sexual pleasure, and privacy in marriage; vaginal sexual intercourse as the only sanctioned sexual behavior; and the importance of Islamic religion in guiding sexual practices. Findings related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) revealed HIV testing at immigration, mixed attitudes toward condom use, and moderate knowledge about HIV transmission modes. Female genital cutting (FGC) was a pervasive factor affecting sexual functioning in Somali women, with attitudes about the controversial practice in transition. We recommend that health professionals take the initiative to discuss sexual health care and safer sex, sexual behaviors/functioning, and likely challenges to sexual health with Somali women—as they may be unlikely to broach these subjects without permission and considerable encouragement.

From Somalia to U.S.: Shifts in Gender Dynamics from the Perspective of Female Somali Refugees

The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to explore shifts in gender dynamics among Somali female refugees who immigrated to the United States (U.S.). We used a community-based approach to recruit 30 participants who were interviewed by a bilingual interviewer. Themes were developed without preordained concepts. Results indicated most women came to the U.S. searching for safety and education. Participants reported increased freedoms, power, and demands within the family. Many women expressed a desire to maintain cultural, religious, and traditional gender roles. Implications for family therapists include attending to intersecting identities of Somali female refugees.

The diagnosis of provoked vestibulodynia: steps and roadblocks in a long journey

Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is estimated to afflict up to 8% of women in the USA. In previous research, women with PVD report embarking on a lengthy path before obtaining a diagnosis. This paper explores how year symptoms began, and how demographic characteristics and assertiveness may affect timeliness of a diagnosis. The experience of receiving a diagnosis is described. Eighty-five participants were recruited through a Listserv and Facebook support group and answered an online survey. Dependent measures included number of appointments before receiving a diagnosis and length of time (months) after symptoms began before receiving a diagnosis. An open-ended question was analyzed. Thirty-five percent attended more than 15 appointments and 37% reported more than 36 months between first symptoms and receiving a diagnosis. The length of time to a diagnosis correlated with amount of education and year symptoms began. Four themes emerged in thematic analyses: necessary self-research, medical care frustrations, empathic health care appreciation, and a negative emotional experience along their journey. Women who began experiencing symptoms after 2005 were diagnosed in less time than those experiencing symptoms earlier, indicating an improvement in diagnostic procedures. However, women continue to have to describe having to visit many physicians before receiving a diagnosis.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies and World Religions: Implications for Couples Therapy

Increasing numbers of couples struggle with infertility. Couples debating whether or not to utilize assisted reproductive technologies (ART) face many difficult decisions. These decisions can be influenced by religious values and ideologies. The purpose of this article is threefold: to (a) review the ethical choices that couples face when deciding whether or not to use ART; (b) review the stated ideologies of Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam in regards to ART; and (c) discuss how knowledge of ethical choices and religious ideologies concerning ART can assist marriage and family therapists who work with couples facing infidelity.

Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome: Therapeutic Implications for Couples

Abstract The author examines vulvar vestibulitis syndrome, a womens health condition that is rarely discussed in family therapy literature. An argument is made regarding the relevancy to couple therapists. A review of diagnosis, prevalence rates, and treatment is provided. The empirical research findings for psychological, interpersonal, and sexual correlates are presented, and implications for couple therapists are discussed.

The East African HIV prevention model: Perspectives from HIV-positive male immigrants living in the USA

Abstract African-born immigrants have been identified as a high risk population for contracting HIV/AIDS. We used Community Identification processes to interview three types of respondents: 11 HIV-seropositive East African-born men; 11 professionals working with HIV-seropositive East African-born men; and 11 individuals interacting with HIV-seropositive East African-born men. Using grounded theory methodology, we developed the East African HIV Prevention Model which displays four components (demographic factors, stigma, disclosure, education) contributing to high risk behaviors and HIV testing. Our model suggests interventions for targeting community demographic factors, pervasive stigma leading to lack of disclosure, and education in the East African community.

Somali American female refugees discuss their attitudes toward homosexuality and the gay and lesbian community

Abstract Minnesota is home to the largest population of Somalis in the USA – most arriving as refugees from the civil war in Somalia. As Somali Americans adjust to life in the USA, they are likely to undergo shifts in their belief systems – including changes in their attitudes toward gays and lesbians. We examined the attitudes of 29 Somali American women in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area toward homosexuality via face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were translated, transcribed and analysed using an approach informed by grounded theory. Three major themes were identified: (1) Islamic prohibitions against homosexuality; (2) homosexuals exiled to a hidden community; and (3) community members exploring tolerance. Participants’ attitudes toward homosexuality were heavily influenced by religious doctrines and cultural contexts. This is the first known study in the USA of Somali American attitudes toward gays and lesbians. As people mass migrate from nations with negative attitudes toward homosexuality to countries with more progressive attitudes toward varied sexual orientations, refugee attitudes about homosexuality will undergo change. Through research and education, we can better understand how to increase tolerance toward and opportunities for visibility among gay and lesbian refugees throughout the diaspora.

Practice of consensual BDSM and relationship satisfaction

ABSTRACT Sexual behaviors and styles that differ from that of the majority culture have been pathologized throughout history. One such category of sexual variation is BDSM (bondage-discipline/dominance-submission/sadism–masochism). Research onpsychotherapists suggests beliefs that BDSM practitioners cannot sustain healthy relationships. A growing body of literature, however, describes those who engage in BDSM activities as socially well-adjusted individuals who are no more likely to have psychological distress than the general population. This study used an online survey distributed via BDSM community websites and word-of-mouth to measure relationship satisfaction among BDSM practitioners who were in committed relationships. The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) was administered, as well as a number of demographic and BDSM participation questions about both the participants and their partners. Findings indicated participants did not score above the clinically distressed criterion cut-off on the RDAS. Additionally, data analysis compared gender and BDSM roles on RDAS scores. This yielded no statistically significant results. These results were considered in the context of the feminist critique of BDSM and family systems theory. The current study adds to previous research by examining relationship satisfaction, providing more evidence that those practicing BDSM are not significantly more pathological than the population in general.

Sharing information with children conceived using in vitro fertilisation: the effect of parents’ privacy orientation

Abstract Objective: To examine the moderating effect of parents’ approach to sharing information with children on the outcomes of information-sharing about in vitro fertilisation (IVF) conception. Background: Mental health professionals encourage parents to share information about IVF conception with their children, but limited research is available on associations among information-sharing, parent–child relationship quality and child adjustment. Predictions based on Communication Privacy Management Theory suggest that how parents share private information with children will moderate the association between sharing information about a child’s IVF conception and parent–child relationship quality and indirectly affect child adjustment. Method: Study hypotheses were tested using a sample of 175 families with 246 6- to 12-year-old children conceived using IVF. Path models hypothesised associations among information-sharing, parent privacy orientation, parent–child relationship satisfaction and child behavioural and emotional adjustment. Results: The results supported the proposed process. Among parents with an ‘open’ privacy orientation, IVF information-sharing with children positively related to parent–child relationship quality (r = .19, p = .03). This association was negative when parents had a ‘restricted’ privacy orientation (r = –.34, p = .01). In turn, relationship quality affected child adjustment. Conclusion: Children conceived using IVF report wanting to know about their conception method and infertility counsellors often recommend information-sharing. These findings support the need to better understand IVF information-sharing processes, and parents who favour a ‘restricted’ privacy orientation may require additional support to promote open communication with children about their IVF conception.