African American (AA) adolescents are currently at disproportionate risk for HIV infection, with AA youth ages 13 through 19 accounting for 56% of all new HIV cases, a rate of infection 8 times that of Caucasian youth. Prevention researchers have targeted this population with a sense of urgency, resulting in numerous studies that have investigated predictors of sexual risk behaviors among AA youth. The results of these studies have yielded findings in a number of domains including environmental, individual, and interpersonal factors. However, reported findings are often inconsistent and synthesis of findings in this area is lagging. The present study synthesized data from 79 studies examining 11 domains of variables in association with 3 outcome variables: Unprotected Sex, Condom Use, and Multiple Sex partners. Intentions and partner variables were most predictive of sexual risk behaviors in this population. Further research is needed to investigate the role of partner-related influences in predicting sexual risk behaviors.
Risky sexual behavior continues to be a public health concern in the United States and studying its antecedents remains an important research endeavor. Utilizing longitudinal data from a sample (N=279) of African American youth and their families, this study examines the relationship between experiences of economic pressure in early adolescence and risky sexual behavior in late adolescence through the processes indicated in the Family Stress Model. Results showed significant relationships between economic pressure, primary and secondary caregiver depression, caregiver conflict, and hostile, inattentive parenting in early adolescence, consistent with the Family Stress Model. Hostile, inattentive parenting positively predicted risky sexual behavior in late adolescence, showing an indirect relationship between economic pressure and risky sexual behavior. Finally, no gender differences in the relationships outlined in this model were observed. This research has important implications for sexual health and prevention programs aimed at reducing risky sexual behavior among adolescents.
Sex on television has nearly doubled since 1998 while sexual risk and responsibly messages have decreased. During this time frame, television watching has become one of the most popular pastimes in the United States, especially among Black/African Americans. Black youth are more likely to report higher levels of satisfaction with television images and view characters as more realistic than the average youth. Here, we examine how viewing higher amounts of television affects certain sexual behaviors of Black female adolescents using data from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance Survey. Results indicate that the number of television hours viewed on an average school day was significantly related to initiating sexual intercourse before the age of 14, condom use, and contraceptive use to prevent pregnancy for all adolescent females in the sample. Though the number of television hours viewed on an average day was not significantly related to the sexual behaviors of Black adolescent females, this group was more likely to initiate sex before 14, report having 3 or more lifetime sexual partners, and more likely to report using condoms at last intercourse than their female counterparts in any other racial group. Black female adolescents who watched 5 or more hours of television, however, were almost four times more likely to report using any form of contraceptive to prevent pregnancy than their white counterparts. These findings suggest that the amount of television watched on an average school day does not influence the sexual behaviors of Black female adolescents in high school. More research is needed to determine the effect television has on Black female adolescents.
The purpose of this study is to explore ethnic identity as a protective factor against sexual activity among a sample of African American adolescents. The study sample consisted of 1084 African American adolescents who were administered a survey comprised of questions about their health, risk behaviors, and their backgrounds. The variables examined were sexual intercourse, ethnic identity, parent-child communication regarding specific topics, mother-adolescent conflict and negative communication. The study also examined family structure, educational aspirations, attitudes about sex, self-esteem, refusal skills, lifetime substance use, perceived peer lifetime sexual behavior, age and gender. Analyses conducted examined the relationship between sexual activity and the independent variables as well as associations between two nominal variables. Relationships between interval/ratio variables were investigated. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess whether the relationship between ethnic identity and lifetime sexual intercourse persisted, controlling for individual, family, and social factors. The findings indicate ethnic identity, and individual, family, and peer factors were related to lifetime sexual intercourse. The effects were stronger for substance use and the influence of peers on sexual behavior. When taking into account the other individual, family, and peer factors, the relationship between ethnic identity and lifetime sexual intercourse was non-significant. Additionally, ethnic identity did not moderate the risk factors explored in this study. Gender differences are clearly delineated in the study with more males having sexual intercourse than females. The results of this study recommend multifaceted interventions that begin as early as elementary school and involve families, schools, communities, and organizations working to promote responsible sexual behavior of adolescents. In addition, the findings of other studies provide support for intervention programs that facilitate the development of ethnic identity, such as youth mentoring programs with a focus on Rites of Passage programs. Interventions should also be developed to include peer groups that are comprised of friends, because of the influence peers have on sexual activity and the engagement in other risk behaviors such as substance use.-- Abstract.
Prediction and Change of Health Behavior honors the work of Martin Fishbein by illustrating the breadth and depth of the reasoned action approach. Focused on attitudes and their effects on health-related behavior, the book demonstrates the profound impact of Fishbein and Ajzen's theories of reasoned action on attitude research and on the solu
