Urban American Indian Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Purpose American Indian (AI) adolescent girls have higher rates of sexual activity, births and STIs compared to the national average. The purpose of this study was to explore factors that influence urban adolescent AI girls' sexual risk behavior (SRB). Design A qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory methodology to reveal factors and processes that influence SRB. Methods Talking circles, individual interviews, and event history calendars were used with 20 urban AI 15-19 year old girls to explore influences on their sexual behavior. Findings The generated theory, Framing Sexual Risk Behavior, describes both social and structural factors and processes that influenced the girls' sexual behaviors. The theory extends Bronfenbrenner's ecological model by identifying microsystem, mesosystem, and macrosystem influences on sexual behavior, including: Microsystem: Being “Normal,” Native, and Having Goals; Mesosystem: Networks of Family and Friends, Environmental Influences, and Sex Education; and Macrosystem: Tribal Traditions/History and Federal Policy. Discussion Urban AI girls reported similar social and structural influences on SRB as urban adolescents from other racial and ethnic groups. However, differences were noted in the family structure, cultural heritage, and unique history of AIs. Implications for Practice This theory can be used in culturally responsive practice with urban AI girls.

The Effect of a Youth-Centered Sexual Risk Event History Calendar (SREHC) Assessment on Sexual Risk Attitudes, Intentions, and Behavior

“…The SREHC is written at a 5 th grade reading level and includes open-ended questions, making it appropriate to a diverse range of individuals based on education, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, and location (Flesch, 1948; Kincaid, Fishburne, Robers, & Chisson, 1975). In previous research, it has generated quality data about activities, behavior, events, and transitions occurring over extensive time periods with youth from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (Fava et al, 2016; Martyn & Martin, 2003; Martyn, Reifsnider & Murray, 2006; Saftner, Martyn, Momper, Kane Low, & Loveland-Cherry, 2015). …”

What are we missing? Risk behaviors among Arab‐American adolescents and emerging adults

“…While the same gender norms and expectations, such as chastity, modesty (Yosef, 2008), and commitment to family relationships (Al-Krenawi & Graham, 2000) can be barriers to accessing family planning and sexual health resources for Arab-American womenthey may also influence their decision to remain abstinent before marriage thus decreasing their risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or having an unplanned pregnancy. Indeed, researchers have found that modesty and duty to family promote abstinence before marriage among adolescent girls and young women (Martyn, Reifsnider, Barry, Treviño, & Murray, 2006) and extended family connections and responsibility to one's family can be protective against sexual and other risk behaviors (Martyn et al, 2006; Saftner, Martyn, Momper, Kane Low, & Loveland-Cherry, 2014). …”

Family and Friend Influence on Urban-Dwelling American Indian Adolescent Girl’s Sexual Risk Behavior

“…The secondary analysis findings I present in this article are the result of a larger grounded theory study focused on the development of a theoretical model to understand urban adolescent AI girls’ sexual risk behavior (Saftner, Martyn, Momper, Loveland-Cherry, & Low, 2015). …”