OBJECTIVE: This study examined the associations between having attitudes tolerant of an unhealthy relationship and female adolescents' ability to refuse an unwanted sexual encounter, self-efficacy to communicate with a steady male partner about sexual issues and condom use self-efficacy. METHODS: Sexually active African American adolescent females (n=522) completed a self-administered survey and in-depth private interview. The survey assessed adolescents' attitudes about relationships using an 8-item scale (a=. 72). An example of a scale item is, "…how healthy or unhealthy… is it if your boyfriend insists on always knowing where you are?" Adolescents responded using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1=unhealthy to 5=healthy. Additional scales in the survey assessed adolescents' ability to refuse an unwanted sexual encounter (3-items; a=. 49), condom use self-efficacy (4-items; a=. 79), and self-efficacy to communicate with a steady partner about sexual issues (7-items; a=. 82). RESULTS: At the time of the survey, 83% (n=432) of the adolescents were involved in a relationship. In the multivariate analysis, controlling for parental monitoring, adolescents who had attitudes more tolerant of an unhealthy relationship were more likely to have lower self-efficacy to communicate with a steady male partner about sexual issues (O.R.=1.9, p=. 0003) and lower condom use self-efficacy (O.R.=1.6, p=. 01). These adolescents were also less likely to refuse an unwanted sexual encounter (O.R.=1.7, p=. 004). CONCLUSIONS: Study findings highlight the importance of addressing relationship factors in designing STD, including HIV/AIDS, prevention programs for adolescents.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants in the session will be able to: (1) Discuss recent research regarding the association between having attitudes tolerant of unhealthy relationships, sexual communication, and condom use self-efficacy among African American female adolescents; (2) Discuss specific relationship variables related to condom use self-efficacy, ability to refuse an unwanted sexual encounter and self-efficacy to communicate with a steady male partner about sexual issues in a population of sexually active African American female adolescents; and (3) Discuss potential strategies for integrating relationship variables into STD, including HIV/AIDS, prevention programs for African American female adolescents.
Keywords: Adolescents, Behavioral Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.