Relationship power in the couple and sexual double standard as predictors of the risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV: multicultural and gender differences

Abstract

The goal of this work is to determine whether relationship power in couples and sexual double standard can predict the risk of sexually transmitted infections/human immunodeficiency virus (STI/HIV) as a function of cultural and gender differences. The sample was made up of 689 adolescents living in Spain, of both sexes, aged between 14 and 19 years, who were sexually active in the past six months and who had a stable partner. Of them, 58.9% were native Spaniards and 41.1% were immigrants of Latin American origin. The results show that origin, age, double standard and the control over decision-making in the couple can predict the risk of STI/HIV; thus, the immigrants, the older participants, those who scored higher in double standard, and those with less control over decision-making were at higher risk of STI/HIV. With regard to gender, the males displayed more double standard and more control over decision-making, and the females displayed higher control over the relationship. The need to adapt STI/HIV prevention programs to the cultural and gender inequality differences in the couple is commented on in the discussion.