# Navigating an STI diagnosis: The role of social support, intergenerational learning, and transformative growth among Black women

## TL;DR

This study explores how Black women use support, learning, and personal growth to navigate STI diagnoses, highlighting strengths rather than risks.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a strengths-based approach to understanding resilience in Black women facing STI diagnoses.

## Key findings

- Black women rely on support from other women to navigate STI diagnoses.
- Intergenerational learning and teaching contribute to resilience.
- Self-love and transformative growth help resolve the emotional impact of STI diagnoses.

## Abstract

Black women face a myriad of challenges that heighten their susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), resulting in a disproportionate impact of STIs among this population. Yet, there is a lack of research that explores how women navigate these diagnoses with resilience. Instead, much of the prevention research on Black women's sexual health and wellness reflects a deficit orientation and focuses on risk. In the current study, we adopt a strengths‐based approach and use narrative inquiry methodology to identify mechanisms of resilience that support Black women in navigating the social and emotional challenges following an STI diagnosis. Narrative analysis of interviews with 16 Black women who have been diagnosed with an STI at least once in their lifetimes revealed three storylines about mechanisms of resilience that helped them resolve the impact of the diagnosis: (1) support from other women, (2) openness to intragenerational learning and teaching, and (3) self‐love and transformative growth. By understanding how women navigate STI diagnoses, researchers and practitioners can move beyond risk‐focused interventions for Black women and toward those that capitalize on their assets and strengths.

Narratives of Black women's sexual lives often come from a deficit perspective that focuses on their risk.This paper takes a strengths‐based approach, drawing on Resilience Theory and Black Feminist Thought.Black women's sexually transmitted infection experiences offer insight on overcoming sexual health challenges through support, learning, and growth.

Narratives of Black women's sexual lives often come from a deficit perspective that focuses on their risk.

This paper takes a strengths‐based approach, drawing on Resilience Theory and Black Feminist Thought.

Black women's sexually transmitted infection experiences offer insight on overcoming sexual health challenges through support, learning, and growth.