Psychosocial factors as predictors of unsafe sexual practices among young adults

Abstract

This study examined the influence of both psychosocial constructs and demographic features on the sexual risk-taking behavior of young adults. Three hundred seventy-four students between the ages of 18 and 29 were drawn from a medium-sized university. All participants were assessed using measures that included the AIDS Coping and Change Survey, the AIDS Psychosocial Scale, and the AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes Survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated for levels of HIV risk behavior (failure to use condoms combined with casual or anonymous sexual partners), HIV/AIDS knowledge, alcohol and drug use, sexual history, and other demographic features. Factor analysis was then used to examine the latent factors associated with HIV risk behavior. All confirmed factors and demographic items that were shown to be significantly correlated with HIV risk behavior were then examined for predictive ability using a regression analysis. Ten factors or variables were found to be predictive of HIV risk behavior, including a Developmental Factor which was found to be moderately predictive of HIV risk behavior. Other predictors included Resistance to Change in response to AIDS; Perceived Risk of exposure, the influence of peer groups, age, alcohol use, marijuana use; a history of infidelity; a younger age of sexual initiation; and a lower self-efficacy.

PIP: This study examined the influence of psychosocial constructs and demographic features on the sexual risk-taking behavior of young adults in the US. The study included 374 undergraduate students, aged 18-29 years, drawn from both upper- and lower-division classes at a rural, medium-sized, southern university. 66% of the sample were females (72% White, 23% African American). All participants were assessed by using measures that included the AIDS Coping and Change Survey, the AIDS Psychosocial Scale, and the AIDS Knowledge and Attitude Survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated for levels of HIV risk behavior (failure to use condoms combined with casual or anonymous sexual partners), HIV/AIDS knowledge, alcohol and drug use, sexual history, and other demographic features. Factor analysis was then used to examine the latent factors associated with HIV risk behavior. All confirmed factors and demographic items that were significantly correlated with HIV risk behavior were then examined for predictive ability using a regression analysis. Findings showed that 10 factors or variables were predictive of HIV risk behavior, including a developmental factor, which was found to be moderately predictive of HIV risk behavior. Other predictors included resistance to change in response to AIDS; perceived risk of exposure, the influence of peer groups, age, alcohol use, marijuana use; a history of infidelity; a younger age of sexual initiation; and a lower self-efficacy.