The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43334

Lisa M. Lapeyrouse, BA, MS, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, 4780 Washtenaw Ave, Bldg. 3, C5, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, 734-528-4481, llapeyro@umich.edu

This is a cross-sectional exploratory research project, which focuses its attention on identifying whether or not sexually active Mexican American adolescents share equal decision-making power regarding sex, contraceptive use, and pregnancy resolution with their partners. The main research question that drives this study is: How do social and cultural characteristics of Mexican American adolescents influence decision-making within sexual relationships? The study sample consisted of 27 Mexican American teen parents living in Southern Arizona between 15 and 18 years of age. It was hypothesized that having a "Mexican Orientation," defined as having low levels of acculturation to the dominant American culture and high levels of cultural traditionalism, would create unequal decision-making dynamics within Mexican American adolescent sexual relationships. It is also hypothesized that major age differences between sexual partners would create unequal decision-making dynamics within relationships. Furthermore, it was postulated that unequal decision-making power within Mexican American adolescent sexual relationships would lead to unequal distribution of decision-making power between partners, where young women have less decision-making power over decisions regarding sex, contraceptive use, and pregnancy resolution. Results from the study support each of these hypotheses, though to varying degrees. The most significant finding that emerges from this research is a sexual demographic profile of Mexican American youth living in southern Arizona that illustrates a complex relationship between culture, health, and health behavior than previously understood. Importantly, this study debunks cultural stereotypes while supporting the movement away from cultural deficit models employed to explain the high fertility rates of Latinos.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will

• Develop a understanding of traditional gender roles and their impact on health behavior;
• Identify strategies for defining gender roles into measurable variables; and
• Discuss the intersections of gender, culture, and power within a health context.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.