RURAL WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES OF SEXUAL COMMUNICATION AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN MARITAL AND COHABITATING HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS (RAPE).
Contributors: Ohio State University.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 195
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.; Women's Studies.
Description: Ten to fourteen percent of women who have ever been married have been raped in marriage. The purpose of this study was to provide insight into the meaning of sexual violence, including rape and coerced sex, for heterosexual, rural women in their marital and cohabitating relationships. The communication that takes place in determining sexual consent was also explored. This qualitative, descriptive research has been framed within a general feminist perspective and utilized grounded theory methodology. Four groups of women were approached: (1) women attending a support group for battered women, (2) women receiving mental health counseling, (3) women attending a family planning clinic and (4) recently divorced women. A semi-structured interview guide was designed for the study. Validation for the emerging themes was achieved by second interviews with some of the participants and a focus group session. Data analysis was conducted by the constant comparative method.

Sexual consent, when present, was communicated with cue words or behaviors rather than openly discussed. Important responses to intimate sexual violence were anger, fear, difficulty trusting men, wariness about future relationships, sexual problems and low self-esteem. The process of Transforming of Self: Surviving Intimate Sexual Violence emerged with four stages: (1) Submerging of self, (2) Repulsing alienated sex, (3) Protecting of self, and (4) Reemerging of self. The use of sexually explicit material brought mixed responses: for some women, its use served as a way of furthering mutual sexual enjoyment; for others, it instigated eqregious sexual violence and alienation. Results of the study provide information that can be used by health care professionals to understand the responses of women to intimate sexual violence and to teach women about sexual communication, avoidance of violence and the promotion of healthy relationships.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-12, Section: B, page: 6672.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, 1995.

School code: 0168.