Psychosocial and Family Issues in Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Psychosocial and Family Issues in Sexually Transmitted Diseases Spencer Nance PSY 328/01 April 1, 2015 Dr. Gordon Cappelletty

Introduction �Can be a life-long health challenge �Health threat to the individual and intimate partner �May face a multitude of psychosocial and family issues �Conflicts and stressors in relationships add to existing challenges of living with an STD (Gottlieb et al, 2011)

Chlamydia �Most common STD in the U. S. �Can result in multiple adverse health conditions �Individuals may be unaware they are carriers, putting others at risk �Diagnosis can cause shock, disbelief, isolation, and shame �Uncertainty can cause anger, fear, distrust, and feelings of betrayal (Gottlieb et al, 2011)

Psychosocial Issues in STDs �Fear of intimate rejection and resentment by partner �Fear of social isolation from family �Feelings of fear and embarrassment when seeking treatment or confiding in others �Psychological counseling can be beneficial (Gottlieb et al, 2011)

Psychosocial Issues Regarding Reproductive Health �Anxiety about fertility and childbearing ability �Health risks to mother and fetus �Anxiety over future sexual relations �Showing concern can lead to safer sexual practices (Gottlieb et al, 2011)

HIV and AIDS �Sexual contact – one route of transmission �Quality of life (sense of happiness and satisfaction in life) can be profoundly affected �Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS can impact physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being �Lack of understanding from family and friends can cause depression and withdrawal �Break down in social support systems can lead to isolation �May seek out alternative methods for stress reduction such as alcohol or drug abuse (Basavaraj, Navya, & Rashmi, 2010)

Problems Associated With HIV/AIDS Disease Progression �Disease progression makes it difficult to sustain an active social life �Decreased energy and fatigue affects physical and psychosocial well-being �Patient may become withdrawn and avoid social interaction �Increased stress and lack of coping skills is directly related to HIV disease progression to AIDS �Counseling can be beneficial (Basavaraj et al, 2010)

Cindy’s Story �https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ICPp 5 a 8 Jv. YE&in dex=10&list=PLY 018 Ggg. FCXM 863 Kg. Fco. BFcp. R 2 j. VERV Ri (SANAC, 2014)

Coping with an STD Diagnosis �Patients often have difficulty accepting the diagnosis of an STD, especially those that could have devastating health consequences �Denial is associated with depression and low selfesteem �Some individuals use denial as a coping mechanism �Depression can lead to social isolation �Risk of suicide is increased (Basavaraj et al, 2010)

Correlation Between Partner Abuse and STDs �Individuals in abusive relationships are at a higher risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease �Often forced to have unprotected intercourse with partners who fail to practice monogamy �Individual must deal with the negative health effects of having an STD and psychological effects of partner abuse (Hess et al, 2012)

Education and Understanding �STDs affect the individual and those around them �Relationships are negatively impacted �Lack of knowledge further impacts the problem �Testing is vital so individuals are aware of their health status � Take steps to avoid further disease transmission �Counseling is beneficial to optimize patient outcome (Hess et al, 2012)

Conclusion �There are many different types of STDs �Some are more serious than others �Those who are infected must take responsibility in preventing further disease transmission (Gottlieb et al, 2011)

References � � References Basavaraj, K. H. , Navya, M. A. , & Rashmi, R. (2010). Quality of life in HIV/AIDS. Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS, 31(2), 75 -80. Gottlieb, S. L. , Stoner, B. P. , Zaidi, A. A. , Buckel, C. , Tran, M. , Leichliter, J. S. , Berman, S. M. , & Markowitz, L. E. (2011). A prospective study of the psychosocial impact of a positive Chlamydia trachomatis laboratory test. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 38(11), 1004 -1011. Hess, K. I. , Javanbakht, M. , Brown, J. M. , Weiss, R. E. , Hsu, P. , & Gorbach, P. M. (2012). Intimate partner violence and sexually transmitted infections among young adult women. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 39(5), 366 -371. South African National Aids Council (2014). World AIDs day – Cindy’s story and experience of HIV stigma and discrimination [Video file] Retrieved March 27, 2014 from http: ///www. youtube. com/watch? v=ICPp 528 Jv. YE&index=10&list =PLY 018 Ggg. FCXM 863 kg. ERVFco. BFcp. R 2 j. VR