Locus of Control and HIV Risk Among a Sample of Mexican and Puerto Rican Women

Abstract

The disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on Hispanic women in the United States has been variously attributed to a failure to utilize protective measures due to low levels of HIV knowledge, a denial or minimization of risk, and conflicts with cultural norms. It has been hypothesized that women's relative lack of power in relationships may be associated with higher risk sexual behavior. We examined the relationship between higher risk sexual behavior and perceived locus of control in sexual relationships among a sample of Puerto Rican and Mexican women. We interviewed 71 women of self-reported Mexican ethnicity in San Diego, California, and 79 women of self-reported Puerto Rican ethnicity in Cleveland, Ohio, to examine the relationship between HIV risk, HIV knowledge, and locus of control. Univariate logistic regression indicates that among Puerto Rican women, the perception that locus of control in a sexual relationship resides in the male partner was significantly associated with increased HIV risk, while younger age was significantly associated with increased risk among Mexican women only. In a combined sample of both Puerto Rican and Mexican women, multiple logistic regression analysis indicates that younger age, increased length of residence in the United States, and an other-focused locus of control are significantly associated with increased HIV risk. Women who have been in the United States for relatively longer periods of time may be more likely to integrate U.S. sexual norms into their own behavior and may, as a consequence, be at higher risk of HIV infection. Increased HIV prevention efforts must be made available to Mexican and Puerto Rican women born outside of the United States. These prevention efforts must necessarily focus not only on HIV prevention strategies, but also on the dynamics within male-female intimate relations. Increased attention to younger Puerto Rican and Mexican women is also needed.

Extrinsic Mortality Effects on Reproductive Strategies in a Caribbean Community

“…People with an external locus of control believe that they cannot influence outcomes through their own efforts-they perceive extrinsic risk. Studies in Western cultures show that external LOC was associated with teen pregnancy (Young et al 2001(Young et al , 2004, "risky" sexual behavior (Loue et al 2004), externalizing behaviors (Jackson et al 2000), and positive attitudes toward promiscuous sexuality (Werner-Wilson 1998)-traits indicative of mating effort strategies.…”

A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of a Community-Based HIV Prevention Intervention for Mexican American Female Adolescents: The Shero's Program

“…Earlier studies have emphasized the salience of cultural nuances and unique contextual challenges to HIV/STI-related behaviors, such as immigration, acculturation, and citizenship status (Afable-Munsuz, & Brindis, 2006;Espinoza, Hall, Selik, & Hu, 2008;Lopez-Quintero, Shtarkshall, & Neumark, 2005;Loue et al, 2004;Zambrana, Cornelius, Boykin & Lopez, 2004). Comparisons of Latino subgroups living in the United States also demonstrated lower levels of HIV-related education and knowledge, rates of HIV testing, and perceived risk of HIV among Mexicans and Mexican Americans (Lopez-Quintero et al, 2005;Loue, Copper & Fieldler, 2003;Loue, Cooper, Traore, & Fiedler, 2004;Zambrana et al, 2004).…”

“…Comparisons of Latino subgroups living in the United States also demonstrated lower levels of HIV-related education and knowledge, rates of HIV testing, and perceived risk of HIV among Mexicans and Mexican Americans (Lopez-Quintero et al, 2005;Loue, Copper & Fieldler, 2003;Loue, Cooper, Traore, & Fiedler, 2004;Zambrana et al, 2004). In the United States, women of Mexican origin constitute the largest Latina subgroup (54.3%), yet a dearth of culturally specific research and interventions exist (American College of Physicians, 2000;Harvey et al, 2004;Herbst et al, 2007).…”

“…However, in spite of these encouraging results, mixed-gender HIV prevention interventions may not effectively address the cultural factors and gender-related power imbalances that impact Mexican American female adolescents (Gomez & Marin, 1996;Harvey, Beckman, & Bird, 2003;Loue et al, 2004;Marin, 2003). To increase comfort in discussing sex-related topics single-gender HIV prevention interventions have been conducted with ethnic minority female adolescents (Dolcini, Harper, Boyer, Watson, Pollack, & Chang, 2008;Morrision et al, 2007).…”

Prevention Of Hiv/Aids And Other Stis In Women In The Context Of Relationships

“…The results of that study shed further light on the idea that low relationship power and the incorporation of gender roles that diminish women are factors that contribute to women developing beliefs that they have little control over their own motivations, thoughts, emotional states and behavioral patterns regarding safe sex (Bowleg, Belgrave & Reisen, 2000). Another study conducted with 150 Hispanic women with high rates of risky sexual behavior reported the existence of a belief that the locus of control over what happens in their sex life belongs to the man (Loue, Cooper, Traore & Fiedler, 2004). This means that these women believe that everything concerning their own sexual life depends on and must be decided by their partners.…”