GENDER-SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS FOR WOMEN AND THEIR MALE PARTNERS

Grant Title: The Distribution of Resources and Gendered Power

Funding Source and Project Period: HIV Center Pilot Studies Program; 2004 - 2005

Collaborating Institutions and Key Personnel:

HIV Center:
Principal Investigator: Shari Dworkin, Ph.D.
Mentor: Anke A. Ehrhardt, Ph.D.

Project Overview: In order to be able to effectively intervene at the structural level of relationship power in future HIV interventions, there remains an urgent need to explore, develop, and measure structural aspects of gendered power in the couple. The structural aspects of power that will be examined in this study are thoroughly grounded in Connell's theory of gender and power. This pilot study will help to develop an understanding of the relationship between power generated at the structural level and sexual and interpersonal power in relationships. Specifically, the study is designed to (1) describe and delineate structural aspects of gendered power in couples (divisions of labor and the distribution and control of resources); (2) examine the relationship between women's income relative to male partners and how women perceive relationship power; (3) examine the relationship between women's income relative to male partners and a validated measure of relationship power (SRPS); and (4) develop a preliminary pool of items for structural aspects of gendered power relations that may assist in developing a new dimension in the SRPS.

The sample comprises 30 sexually active, 20-45 year old heterosexually identified women who have a primary sexual partner (male) and who have been cohabiting with male partners for at least one year. Working-class couples were recruited from the Comparison Group Project at NYSPI, Project Reach (Theresa Exner, Principal Investigator), snowball methods, SEIU Local Union 693, The Supporting Staff Association (at Columbia University), and flyers at NYSPI. The women participated in individual 2-hour in-depth qualitative interviews. Women from working-class households were selected who have greater (N=10), lesser (N=10), and equal (N=10) income relative to male partners. The interviews examine the distribution and control of resources in the couples; the distribution of household labor, child care, and care tasks; sexual initiation, control over sexual activities, and safer sex negotiation; decision-making dominance and relationship control; and perceptions of how the distribution of resources shapes relationship power. Interviews have been completed and transcribed; coding and analysis is underway.

Publications and Presentation Abstracts:
 

Dworkin, S. , The Distribution and Control of Resources, Gendered Power, and Safer Sex Negotiations. Paper presented at the Grand Rounds of the Roosevelt Medical College, New York. January 22, 2007.

Dworkin, S. Economic Resources, Sexual Relationship Power, and Safer Sex Negotiations. Paper presented at the Grand Rounds of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies May, 2006.

 

Update: 5/07/07