Jennifer Connor, PhD, LMFT, presents: An Examination in Women's Health Across Cultures

Program in Human Sexuality: Faculty Presentations

The focus of this research presentation is to provide information regarding the evolution of my research program from the study of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (now provoked vestibuldynia) in predominantly white American and European couples to the study of sexual pain in Somali female refugees living in the United States. In addition, I will touch briefly on a current project with UMN and University of California investigators in regards to reproductive medicine. Finally, I will present future directions in NIH funding, potential for interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical application of the sexual pain research. Jennifer Connor, PhD, Associate Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Program Coordinator, (Department of Community Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy, St. Cloud State University). Dr. Connor has been a practicing clinician since 1994, and is licensed in marriage and family therapy. Her current practice is at Family Prospective Resources, and she provides supervision consultation to MedWay inc., a Somali based mental health service agency. Dr. Connor’s research interests lie within the area of women’s reproductive and sexual health. Specifically, she has conducted research in female sexual pain, infertility, and adjustment outcomes of children conceived via medical assistance. She has served as a co-investigator on the Somali Women’s Initiative for Sexual Health Study and the Family Communication Project.