278454
Binge drinking and risky sex among adolescents: An application of structural equation modeling
Methods: Data was analyzed from the 2011 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Specific questions used in this analysis were related to binge drinking, condom use, age of sexual initiation, and number of sexual partners. Maximum likelihood estimation was used to fit the data matrix to the model using SAS' PROC CALIS function.
Results: Participants in the 2011 YRBS sample were predominantly ages ≥15 (n=13,734) and approximately equally distributed between genders as well as between grades 9-12. Of the national sample, 13,797 surveys were used. The model's convergence criterion was satisfied. Fit indices are the following: chi-square value (X2=82.89, df=2, p<0.0001), standardized root mean-square residual was 0.01, root mean square error of approximation was 0.05, and comparative fit index was 0.99.
Conclusion: Through the use of SEM, the results indicated that even though the statistically significant chi-square suggests this is not the exact model, the other fit indices point to it being a reasonable model. The SRMS being very low indicates a good absolute fit of the model, and conversely the CFI being very high indicates a good incremental fit. The model indicated a positive relationship between binge drinking and risky sexual behaviors. Risky sexual behavior was most strongly associated with age of first sexual intercourse and total number of sexual partners.
Learning Areas:
Biostatistics, economicsSocial and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Design a structural equation model
Assess relationship between binge drinking and risky sex
Keyword(s): Adolescent Health, Sexual Risk Behavior
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified because I was involved in using this secondary data for a research project and participated in the statistical data analysis. I have a masterâs degree in public health (MPH) and have experience with disseminating research findings at national conferences. My MPH is in global health practice, and I am currently a PhD student with a concentration in health education at the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.