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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Sociol.
Sec. Gender, Sex and Sexualities
Volume 9 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fsoc.2024.1498969
This article is part of the Research Topic Gender, Sexuality, and Well-Being: Impact on Well-Being Due to Gender and Sexual Orientation-Based Discrimination View all 7 articles

Intimate partner violence and its relation to sexual health outcomes across different adult populations: A systematic review

Provisionally accepted
Cristobal Calvillo Cristobal Calvillo *Alexandra Marshall Alexandra Marshall Stefani Gafford Stefani Gafford Brooke E.E. Montgomery Brooke E.E. Montgomery
  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) significantly impacts adults' well-being, causing both physical and psychological harm. IPV has been consistently linked to adverse sexual health outcomes, including an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, and sexual dysfunction. This systematic review examines the evolving relationship between IPV and sexual health outcomes in adults from 2014 to 2024, addressing gaps in understanding across diverse populations and exploring the complex interplay between violence, sexuality, and health.Methods: A comprehensive search of multiple databases was conducted for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2014 and February 2024. Studies examining the association between IPV and sexual health variables in adult populations (aged 18 an older) were included. The review followed PRISMA guidelines, and 27 articles met the inclusion criteria after full-text screening and quality assessment.Results: IPV was consistently associated with poorer sexual health outcomes across diverse populations and contexts. Studies utilized various validated instruments to assess IPV and sexual health. Research primarily focused on cisgender heterosexual women, with limited studies on cisgender heterosexual men, men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals. IPV was linked to an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, sexual dysfunction, and decreased sexual satisfaction. The relationship between IPV and sexual health was influenced by factors such as gender identity, sexual orientation, and cultural context. Discussion: The review highlights the complex relationship between IPV and sexual health, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and culturally sensitive approaches. Significant research gaps exist, particularly regarding lesbian women and non-binary individuals. Future studies should employ mixed-methods approaches and consider intersectionality to provide a more comprehensive understanding of IPV's impact on sexual health across diverse populations.

    Keywords: Intimate partner violence1, Sexual Health2, Systematic Review3, gender4, sexual orientation5

    Received: 19 Sep 2024; Accepted: 22 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Calvillo, Marshall, Gafford and Montgomery. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Cristobal Calvillo, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, United States

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.