Advisory Committee Chair
Olivio Clay
Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2024
Degree Name by School
Master of Arts (MA) College of Arts and Sciences
Abstract
USING THE SOCIAL ECOLOGICAL MODEL TO ASSESS THE CORRELATES OF UNPROTECTED SEX AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN EMERGING ADULTS SHIRLACIA S. GRAY DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY ABSTRACT Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that HIV diagnoses for Black/African American men and women are 8x and 15x higher than white individuals, respectively. While the social determinants of health largely influence HIV transmission rates, reducing risky behaviors can lower the risk for HIV. This current study used the Social Ecological Model to investigate correlates of unprotected sex. Methods: Participants were recruited through respondent-driven sampling. Participant's demographics (age, gender, years of education, financial difficulty) and norms and peer influences were assessed at baseline interviews. The dependent variable (unprotected sexual events) was assessed by using the Timeline Followback interview. Analyses: This study utilized baseline, cross-sectional data from the CH-II study for secondary data analyses. Hypotheses were assessed by using a multinomial logistic regression with the percentage of unprotected sexual events put into three categories (never, sometimes, and always). Never was the reference group. Results: The total sample included 228 Black/African American emerging adults (mean age= 21.54; 56.6% female). With regards to sometimes engaging in unprotected sex, the age predictor is negative and significant (B= -.232, p =.044). The perceived unprotected sex of peers predictor is positive and significant (B =.449, p = .010). The perceived lifetime sexual partners of peers predictor is positive and significant; (B =.109, p =.003). The total number of sexual events predictor (inverse of the variable was used in the model) is negative and significant; (B = -4.477, p =.010). With regards to always engaging in unprotected sex, the substance use predictor was positive and significant (B = .366, p = .009). The perceived unprotected sex of peers predictor is positive and significant (B =.621, p <.001). The perceived lifetime sexual partners of peers predictor is positive and significant; (B =.076, p =.037). The total number of sexual events predictor (inverse) is negative and significant; (B= -5.232, p =.003). Conclusion: Potential interventions should investigate how to mitigate consistent unprotected sex related challenges by creating more modern interventions, and by conducting research to shape policies that are related to STI and HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Keywords: HIV, STI, Black/African American, Heterosexual, Unprotected Sex, Social Ecological Model
Recommended Citation
Gray, Shirlacia S., "Using The Social Ecological Model To Assess The Correlates Of Unprotected Sex Among African American Emerging Adults" (2024). All ETDs from UAB. 3879.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/3879