Experiences of Dyspareunia in Dominican Women with a History of Sexual Abuse: A Phenomenological Study |
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Authors: | Raquel Alarcon-Rodriguez PhD Cayetano Fernández-Sola RN PhD Rafael García-Alvarez PhD Rosario Fadul-Calderón PhD Antonio Ruiz-Ortiz PhD Mar Requena-Mullor PhD Jessica Garcia-Gonzalez RN PhD |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, Almería, Spain;2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Human Sexuality Institute, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
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Abstract: | Introduction Dyspareunia refers to painful sexual intercourse that negatively affects a person's psychological well-being and quality of life and can also have an impact on their partner, family, and social circle. The objective of this study was to understand the experiences of women with dyspareunia and a history of sexual abuse in the Dominican Republic. Methods This was a qualitative study based on Merleau-Ponty's hermeneutic phenomenology. Fifteen women with a diagnosis of dyspareunia and a history of sexual abuse participated. The study was carried out in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Results In-depth interviews were conducted for data collection. Through inductive analysis using ATLAS.ti, 3 main themes were developed that represent women's experiences of dyspareunia and sexual abuse: (1) a history of sexual abuse as a background to dyspareunia, (2) living in fear in a society that revictimizes the survivor, and (3) the sexual consequences of dyspareunia. Discussion In some Dominican women, dyspareunia stems from their history of sexual abuse, which was unknown to their families and partners. The participants experienced dyspareunia in silence and found it difficult to seek help from health care professionals. In addition, their sexual health was marked by fear and physical pain. There are individual, cultural, and social factors that influence the occurrence of dyspareunia; a better understanding of these factors is vital for planning innovative preventive strategies that reduce the progression of sexual dysfunction and its impact on the quality of life of people with dyspareunia. |
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Keywords: | dyspareunia phenomenology qualitative research sexual abuse |
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