Navigating the Spectrum of STI Impact in Relationships
The research that I shared yesterday (Newton & McCabe, 2005) highlights the work of Jones et al. (1984), which proposes that the impact of an STI between sexual partners exists on a continuum, as pictured in this graphic.
They argue that this continuum ranges from rejection of the relationship and partner, to accepting that the STI has some impact on the relationship (ex. can’t engage sexually during outbreaks).
For many partners, navigating sex and a relationship with someone who has an STI isn’t a long-term problem or dealbreaker (referenced by research, too). Whereas for others (like those who fall closer to the rejection absolute) may not view their partnerships through the same lens.
I think that the categories that exist between these two absolutes are relationship and partner depending, and likely wouldn’t fit on this one image. I’ll be exploring more about the types of relationships that these researchers focused on, as well as ones they might have missed in an upcoming post.