Relationship Status, Psychological Orientation, and Sexual Risk Taking in a Heterosexual African American College Sample

Abstract

The present study examined relationship status, psychological orientation toward sexual risk taking, and other characteristics as potential correlates of risky sexual behavior in a sample of 223 heterosexual African American college students. Risky sexual behavior was investigated as a multinomial variable (i.e., abstinence, consistent condom use, inconsistent condom use, or noncondom use) to determine whether differentiation of levels of risky sexual behavior yielded meaningful psychological or demographic patterns. The hypotheses were (a) students who are in a long-term relationship are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, and (b) students who report inconsistent condom use differ from those who report noncondom use on demographic and psychological variables. The first hypothesis was partially supported. The second hypothesis was supported. The findings suggest that HIV/AIDS interventions need to take into consideration different levels of sexual risk taking with regard to condom use behavior among African American college students.

Consistent Condom Use Among Juvenile Detainees: The Role of Individual Differences, Social Bonding, and Health Beliefs

“…It has also been suggested that there may be qualitative differences between levels of riskiness, that there may not be a continuous normal distribution underlying sexual risk taking (Winfield and Whaley 2005). Therefore, consistent condom use does not merely represent the endpoint of a continuum of safe sex, but may be a qualitatively distinct behavior.…”

Difference in Condom Use Among Sexually Active Males at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

“…1 Several investigators have studied condom use among college students, 13–17 but few have examined whether correlates of condom use differ for black college students. The existing studies suggest that perceived barriers, sex, and intention to use a condom were significant predictors of condom use; other variables, such as age, HIV/AIDS risk behavior knowledge, cues to action, and health locus of control, were not significant predictors of condom use.…”

Effects of an Undergraduate HIV/AIDS Course on Students' HIV Risk

“…That model excluded the control for substance use in the last 30 days due to content overlap with the dependent variable. Demographic variables, known to be covariates of STDs, included student’s age, gender, and if the student was in a committed relationship (CDC, 2008; Roberts & Kennedy, 2006; Seal & Palmer-Seal, 1996; Thornton et al , 2002; Wendt & Solomon, 1995; Winfield & Whaley, 2005; Wyatt & Riederle, 1994). Lack of variation in the sample on measures of race/ethnicity and sexual orientation prevented their use in the models.…”

“…Experiential learning techniques put students in contact with individual living with HIV/AIDS increasing their perceived susceptibility of infection (Burkholder et al , 1999; Opt et al, 2004). Based on the theory of health behavior, when students perceive themselves to be at risk they are more likely to engage in safer sex behaviors, such as condom use (Winfield & Whaley, 2005). The course may also influence students’ perceived self efficacy by asking them to reflect on their own attitudes and behaviors through journaling (Paxton, 2002) and increasing peer support for low-HIV-risk behavior.…”