Disclosure of Sexually Transmitted Infections to Sexual Partners: A Systematic Critical Literature Review.
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| Title: | Disclosure of Sexually Transmitted Infections to Sexual Partners: A Systematic Critical Literature Review. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | McMahan, Kayley D., Olmstead, Spencer B. |
| Source: | Journal of Sex Research. Sep2025, Vol. 62 Issue 7, p1226-1240. 15p. |
| Subjects: | Sexually transmitted diseases, Sexual health, Emotions, Disclosure, Sexual partners |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this review was to systematically and critically evaluate the STI disclosure literature (excluding HIV disclosure literature), summarize limitations and omissions, and identify opportunities for future research. We used the Health Disclosure Decision-Making Model (DD-MM) as a guiding theoretical framework. Following PRISMA guidelines, database searches using key terms identified 387 possible articles, 32 of which ultimately met inclusion criteria for this review. Findings indicated that individuals with STIs experience a variety of negative feelings and emotions related to the prospect of disclosure. Reasons for disclosure included moral obligation, love for partner, and desire for support, whereas reasons to not disclose included fears about partner's reaction and response, fears of being rejected or broken up with, and beliefs about the lack of obligation. Disclosers used a variety of disclosure strategies, including priming messages, framing, and direct disclosure. Non-disclosers used strategies to pass as uninfected (i.e. passing), withdraw from relationships, and using outbreaks to time sexual activity. Among studies that examined disclosure timing, around half or fewer individuals disclosed or believed they should disclose prior to engaging in sexual activity. The findings indicated that relationship-related factors such as greater levels of commitment, relationship quality, length together, and feelings of closeness were important predictors of disclosure. Finally, some individuals experienced negative partner responses, whereas others experienced positive responses and relationship outcomes. Our review revealed that the experiences of receivers of STI disclosures are not well-represented in the literature. Implications for future research, education, and intervention are specified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Sex Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Header | DbId: pbh DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection An: 187695825 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Disclosure of Sexually Transmitted Infections to Sexual Partners: A Systematic Critical Literature Review. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22McMahan%2C+Kayley+D%2E%22">McMahan, Kayley D.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Olmstead%2C+Spencer+B%2E%22">Olmstead, Spencer B.</searchLink> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Sex+Research%22">Journal of Sex Research</searchLink>. Sep2025, Vol. 62 Issue 7, p1226-1240. 15p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sexually+transmitted+diseases%22">Sexually transmitted diseases</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sexual+health%22">Sexual health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotions%22">Emotions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disclosure%22">Disclosure</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sexual+partners%22">Sexual partners</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: The purpose of this review was to systematically and critically evaluate the STI disclosure literature (excluding HIV disclosure literature), summarize limitations and omissions, and identify opportunities for future research. We used the Health Disclosure Decision-Making Model (DD-MM) as a guiding theoretical framework. Following PRISMA guidelines, database searches using key terms identified 387 possible articles, 32 of which ultimately met inclusion criteria for this review. Findings indicated that individuals with STIs experience a variety of negative feelings and emotions related to the prospect of disclosure. Reasons for disclosure included moral obligation, love for partner, and desire for support, whereas reasons to not disclose included fears about partner's reaction and response, fears of being rejected or broken up with, and beliefs about the lack of obligation. Disclosers used a variety of disclosure strategies, including priming messages, framing, and direct disclosure. Non-disclosers used strategies to pass as uninfected (i.e. passing), withdraw from relationships, and using outbreaks to time sexual activity. Among studies that examined disclosure timing, around half or fewer individuals disclosed or believed they should disclose prior to engaging in sexual activity. The findings indicated that relationship-related factors such as greater levels of commitment, relationship quality, length together, and feelings of closeness were important predictors of disclosure. Finally, some individuals experienced negative partner responses, whereas others experienced positive responses and relationship outcomes. Our review revealed that the experiences of receivers of STI disclosures are not well-represented in the literature. Implications for future research, education, and intervention are specified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Sex Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=187695825 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2343927 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 15 StartPage: 1226 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Sexually transmitted diseases Type: general – SubjectFull: Sexual health Type: general – SubjectFull: Emotions Type: general – SubjectFull: Disclosure Type: general – SubjectFull: Sexual partners Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Disclosure of Sexually Transmitted Infections to Sexual Partners: A Systematic Critical Literature Review. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: McMahan, Kayley D. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Olmstead, Spencer B. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 09 Text: Sep2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00224499 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 62 – Type: issue Value: 7 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Sex Research Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
