Danielle R Eakins1, Elizabeth C Neilson2, Cynthia A Stappenbeck3, Hong V Nguyen4, Kelly Cue Davis5, William H George6. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1100 NE 45th Street, Suite 300, Box 354944 Seattle, WA 98105, USA. Electronic address: deakins@uw.edu. 2. Department of Psychology, Morehead State University, 151 4th Street, Suite 414, Morehead, KY 40351, USA. Electronic address: ecneilson@moreheadstate.edu. 3. Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, PO Box 5010, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA. Electronic address: cstappenbeck@gsu.edu. 4. Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, 795 Willow Rd (MPD351), Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. 5. Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, 500 N. 3(rd) St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA. Electronic address: kelly.cue.davis@asu.edu. 6. Department of Psychology, University of Washington, 119A Guthrie Hall Box 351525, Seattle, WA 98195-1525, USA. Electronic address: bgeorge@uw.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) rates are the highest of the last 20 years, with people of color and women particularly affected. Ongoing research has identified risk factors (e.g., alcohol intoxication) and protective factors (e.g., risk perception) for sexual risk behaviors, such as inconsistent condom use. Depending on behavioral norms within a group, ethnic identity (EI) - the exploration and sense of belonging to one's ethnicity - may be a risk or protective factor. This study examined the relations between EI, alcohol intoxication, and STI risk perception on sexual risk intentions among women of color (WOC) and white women (WW). METHODS: Cisgender women (N = 390; 35% WOC; 65% WW) completed measures and were randomly assigned to an alcohol condition (0.10% BrAC vs control). They projected themselves into an eroticized scenario and self-reported two aspects of STI risk perception (personal, partner) and two sexual risk behaviors (condomless sex intentions, condom decision abdication intentions). RESULTS: Path analysis indicated that intoxicated women endorsed higher sexual risk intentions compared to women in the control group. Personal STI risk perception was negatively associated with sexual risk intentions. Indirect effects indicated that race was indirectly associated with both indicators of sexual risk, such that WOC reported higher perceived personal STI risk and subsequently endorsed lower sexual risk intentions compared to WW. Surprisingly, EI was associated with higher perceived partner risk for WW only. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention initiatives that address STI risk perception, condom assertion behaviors, and alcohol may be effective for mitigating women's sexual risk behaviors.
INTRODUCTION: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) rates are the highest of the last 20 years, with people of color and women particularly affected. Ongoing research has identified risk factors (e.g., alcohol intoxication) and protective factors (e.g., risk perception) for sexual risk behaviors, such as inconsistent condom use. Depending on behavioral norms within a group, ethnic identity (EI) - the exploration and sense of belonging to one's ethnicity - may be a risk or protective factor. This study examined the relations between EI, alcohol intoxication, and STI risk perception on sexual risk intentions among women of color (WOC) and white women (WW). METHODS: Cisgender women (N = 390; 35% WOC; 65% WW) completed measures and were randomly assigned to an alcohol condition (0.10% BrAC vs control). They projected themselves into an eroticized scenario and self-reported two aspects of STI risk perception (personal, partner) and two sexual risk behaviors (condomless sex intentions, condom decision abdication intentions). RESULTS: Path analysis indicated that intoxicated women endorsed higher sexual risk intentions compared to women in the control group. Personal STI risk perception was negatively associated with sexual risk intentions. Indirect effects indicated that race was indirectly associated with both indicators of sexual risk, such that WOC reported higher perceived personal STI risk and subsequently endorsed lower sexual risk intentions compared to WW. Surprisingly, EI was associated with higher perceived partner risk for WW only. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention initiatives that address STI risk perception, condom assertion behaviors, and alcohol may be effective for mitigating women's sexual risk behaviors.
Authors: William H George; Kelly Cue Davis; N Tatiana Masters; Kelly F Kajumulo; Cynthia A Stappenbeck; Jeanette Norris; Julia R Heiman; Jennifer M Staples Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2016-01