Psychosocial and behavioral correlates of relationship satisfaction among sexually active African American adolescent females

3152.0: Monday, October 22, 2001 - 2:45 PM

Abstract #30508

Psychosocial and behavioral correlates of relationship satisfaction among sexually active African American adolescent females

Kim M Williams, PhD, MSW¹, Gina Wingood, ScD, MPH¹, Ralph DiClemente¹, Richard Crosby, PhD², Donna McCree, PhD¹, Adrian Liau, PhD¹, Kathleen Harrington, MAEd, MPH³, and Susan Davies, PhD⁴. (1) Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Fifth Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404 712 9919, kwilli9@sph.emory.edu, (2) Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Room 520, Atlanta, GA 30322, (3) Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1666 University Blvd, Suite 237, Birmingham, AL, (4) Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 Unversity Blvd., Suite 410, Birmingham, AL 35294

Objective: To identify the psychosocial and behavioral correlates of high relationship satisfaction among a sample of 522 African American female adolescents. Methods: Sexually active adolescents (14-18 years of age) completed a self-administered survey and an in-depth private interview. Demographic, psychosocial and behavioral measures hypothesized to correlate with high relationship satisfaction were assessed. Factors identified as significantly associated with high relationship satisfaction in contingency table analyses were entered into multiple logistic regression models using a stepwise procedure. Results: Fifty-one percent (N=219) indicated high relationship satisfaction. Controlling for observed covariates, adolescents indicating high relationship satisfaction were significantly more likely to have discussions regarding sex, STDs/HIV and pregnancy prevention with a parent(s) (OR=1.7, p=.008), have greater social support from significant others (OR=2.7, p=.0001); and indicate that all female friends use condoms when having sex (OR=1.8, p=.016). Furthermore, adolescents indicating high relationship satisfaction were significantly less likely to have sex with anyone other than a boyfriend in the past 6 months (OR=2.3, p=003); and less likely to believe that a boyfriend had other sex partners in the past 6 months (OR=2.2, p=.0001). Conclusion: Study findings suggest that relationship satisfaction may be a critical factor associated with adolescents’ engagement in STD risk protective behaviors. Furthermore, it is suggested that high relationship satisfaction is associated with increased parent-adolescent communication regarding STD/HIV prevention, greater social support from significant others, and believing all female friends use condoms.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in the session will be able to: (1) Describe the association between psychosocial and behavioral correlates and relationship satisfaction among African American female adolescents; 2) Apply study findings to develop effective STD/HIV prevention program strategies.

Keywords: Adolescents, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA