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Adolescence is a time of great exploration and change. During this time, youth are transitioning both biologically and sexually into adults. Adolescents are also testing the boundaries of self-reliance and making choices about their personal relationships. Not surprisingly, aggressive urges are often driven by peers in pursuit of some form of identity (Masten 2004). Peers can have both positive and negative effects on the wellbeing on youth. Peer groups can provide emotional, physical, and social support to youth during a time of immense change (Parker and Asher 1987; Gest, Graham-Berman, and Hartup 2001). Peers can also model delinquent and risk-taking behaviors that have lasting health, social, and economic consequences throughout the life course. In an effort to understand the role of friendships in adolescent health, social scientists have increasingly focused on adolescent network structures within schools and the role various positions and peer group formations influence behaviors such as alcohol and cigarette use, violent and serious delinquency, and sexual risk-taking. While informative, peer networks studies have yet to adequately address how peer network structures based on immigrant generation and types of marginalized social positions influence health risk behavior engagement among adolescents. In three studies, I address the dearth of research in these areas, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The first study investigates the influence of generational peers on alcohol misuse among immigrant youth. Testing hypotheses derived from sociological theories of generations regarding race/ethnicity, gender, and immigrant generation, findings from this study demonstrate generational ties are inversely related to alcohol misuse for immigrants and these effects depend partly on race/ethnicity and gender. The second study investigates the effects of specific network forms of social isolation on heavy episodic drinking and cigarette use among adolescents. The central finding from this study is that different network-based forms of social isolation had varying effects on alcohol and cigarette use when compared to sociable youth. The final study examines the relationship between types of social isolation and violent delinquency when compared to sociable youth. Deriving hypotheses from general strain theory, I test whether the isolation-violence relationship varies across isolation types when compared to sociable youth. I also test whether other negative experiences and circumstances (strains) tied to adolescence moderate the relationship between isolation types and violent delinquency. Finally, studies indicate a consistent gender gap in criminality. Therefore, I test whether the isolation-violence relationship differs by gender. Findings demonstrate that socially disinterested youth show a greater capacity for violent behavior, but other types of marginalized youth showed no difference in violence when compared to sociable youth. Results also suggest that some types of strain moderate the isolation-violence relationship and that these patterns are gendered.

On a routine and daily basis, women are exposed to sexually objectifying experiences, which result in a number of harmful psychosocial outcomes (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). Five-hundred and forty-sex women attending a large, Southeastern university participated in this study that investigated a conceptual model of how childhood sexual abuse (CSA) contributes to sexual risk behaviors (SRBs) via self-objectification (S0). In order to assess the causal relationships among variables, measured variable path analyses were conducted in order to test two theoretical models. The following instruments were used in this investigation: the Sexual Abuse Subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (a measure assessing experiences of childhood sexual abuse [Bernstein, Stein, Newcomb, Walker, Pogge, Ahluvia et al., 2003]); the Body Surveillance Subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (a measure assessing self-objectification [McKinley & Hyde, 1996]); the Body Shame Subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (a measure assessing body shame [McKinley & Hyde, 1996]); the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (assesses alexithymic symptoms, or difficulty identifying, describing, and expressing one’s emotions [Bagby, Parker, & Taylor, 1994]), the Contraceptive Self-Efficacy Scale (assesses overall sexual self-efficacy, such as the ability to insist upon sexual protection [Levinson, 1986]), and the Sexual Risk Survey (assesses risky sexual practices [Turkchik & Garske, 2009]). Results revealed that the data fit the second model better than the first. Specifically, data revealed that CSA directly predicted SRBs and was not mediated via SO, but was partially mediated by alexithymia and body shame. That is, CSA predicted increased alexithymia and body shame. Increased alexithymia predicted SRBs, whereas body shame decreased SRBs. Results also revealed that alexithymia and body shame mediated the relationship between SO and SRBs. Specifically, self-objectification led to increased alexithymia and body shame, and alexithymia increased SRBs while body shame decreased SRBs. Last, results revealed that body shame fully mediated the relationship between both CSA and SO and sexual self-efficacy. Pathways were significant at the p < .05 level.

Is there a low-risk drinking level for youth? The likelihood of engaging in risk behaviors (e.g. drinking and driving) as a function of alcohol use was examined in 540 youth from the Victoria Healthy Youth Survey, age 16-23 (M=19.5; 245 Males, 294 females). Logistic regression revealed that both the frequency and quantity of alcohol use matter in terms of determining one’s risk. Quantity of consumption in excess of the recommended ≤2 drinks/occasion (CAMH guidelines) substantially increases ones risk of harm; as does consumption >once a week. However, for those consuming at low quantity (≤ 2 drinks/occasion) and low or moderate frequency levels (≤ once a week) the risk did not exceed that experienced by abstainers and may be considered “low-risk”. It is suggested that youth require a special set of drinking guidelines that focus on quantity consumed/occasion followed by clear limits on the number of drinking days (frequency).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T13:56:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Mara revisao final.pdf: 498609 bytes, checksum: cc7be7d2202495ba3a6b3454b6856ee3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-12-05 / Medidas preventivas e assistenciais para mulheres são importantes para a saúde pública. Os riscos associados com a saúde das mulheres incluem gravidez e maior chance de contrair DST, incluindo AIDS. Descrever a prevalência de DST, o perfil de comportamento e os aspectos relacionados à saúde reprodutiva das mulheres residentes em uma região de saúde do Município de Vitória, Brasil. Estudo transversal realizado de julho de 2003 a març o de 2004 em umaárea assistida pelo Programa de Saúde da Família, entre m ulheres de 15 a 49 anos.Uma entrevista face a face com dados sócio demográficos, clínicos e comportamentais foi realizada. Uma amostra de sangue foi coletada para testes de HIV, HBV,HCV e Sífilis; espécimes genitais foram coletadas para Citologia, Gram e Cultura, e uma amostra de urina foi coletada para PCR- Chlamydia trachomatis. A análise estatística usou métodos descritivos e análise multivariada dos dados. Este estudo foi submetido e aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da Universidade Federal do Estado do Espírito Santo. Durante o estudo, 300 mulheres foram incluídas. A média de idade foi 30,0 (distância interquartil (IQR) 24; 38) anos; a média de idade do primeiro intercurso sexual foi de 17,3 (DP 3,6) anos e a média de idade da primeira gravidez foi 19,2 (DP 3,9) anos. Cerca de 70% delas teve até 8 anos de estudo; 5% relataram ISTs prévias; 8% abuso de drogas ilícitas e 11% estupro. Apenas 23,7%relataram uso regular de condom. Problemas clínicos relatados: úlcera genital (3,0%); disúria (7,7%); descarga vaginal (46,6%); prurido (20,0%) e dor pélvica (30,7%). Teste de HIV prévio foi relatado por 43,6% e 15,3% nunca haviam feito Citologia Oncótica. As prevalências das infecções foram: Chlamydia trachomatis 7,4%; gonorréia 2,0%; tricomoníase 2,0%; vaginose 21,3%, candidíase 9,3%; relatos citológicos sugestivos de HPV 3,3%; sífilis 3,0%; HIV 3,3%; HBV 1,0% e HCV 1,3%. As mulheres são uma população vulnerável em relação à sexualidade. Elas não percebem nelas mesmas o risco para DST e não se protegem. Esses resultados encontraram elevada freqüência de DST e mostraram a necessidade de medidas de prevenção, incluindo, entre outros, rastreamento para IST e programas de redução de risco. / Preventative measures and assistance for women are important for public health. The risks associated with women s health include pregnancy and higher rate of contracting STIs, including AIDS. To describe STI prevalence, behavior profile and reproductive health aspects of women living in a health region of Vitoria Municipality, Brazil. Cross-sectional study from July 2003 to March 2004 in an area assisted by Family Health Program. The study was performed among women, 15 to 49 years old. A face-to-face interview with sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral data was performed. A blood sample was collected for HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis tests; genital specimens were collected for Pap smear, Gram stain and culture, and a sample of urine was collected for PCR-Chlamydia tracomatis. The statistical analysis used descriptive methods and multivariate methods. This study was submitted and approved by Ethics committee from Federal University of Espírito Santo State. During the study, 300 women were included. Median age was 30.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 24; 38) years old; mean age of the first intercourse was 17.3 (SD 3.6) years and mean age of first pregnancy was 19.2 (SD 3.9) years. About 70% of them had up to 8 years of education; 5.0% reported previous STIs; 8.0% illicit drug abuse and 11.0% rape. Only 23.7% reported consistent condom use. Clinical problems reported: genital ulcer (3.0%); dysuria (7.7%); vaginal discharge (46.6%); itching (20.0%) and pelvic pain (30.7%). Previous HIV test was reported by 46.3% and 15.3% had never done Pap smear. The prevalence of infections were: Chlamydia tracomatis was 7.4%; gonorrhea 2.0%; trichomoniasis 2.0%; vaginosis 21.3%; candidiasis 9.3%; HPV-related cytological changes 3.3%; syphilis 3.0%; HIV 0.3%; HBV 1.0% and HCV 1.3%. Women are vulnerable population related to sexuality. They do not feel themselves at risk for STI and they do not protect themselves. These resultsfound high frequency of STI and show the needs for prevention measures, including, among others, screening for STI and programs of risk reduction.

The prevalence of female adults and adolescents living with diagnosed HIV infection continues to rise. Latina women in the United States (US) are not only disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but also underutilize HIV prevention services, such as HIV testing. Data are limited on the differences in HIV risk among Latinas by country of birth, and opportunities still exist to prevent transmission of HIV and reduce HIV-related disparities. This dissertation describes the risk behaviors, testing behaviors, and test results among women tested for HIV at public sites in Florida. Additionally, it compares these characteristics by HIV testing site type among pregnant women. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and associated 95% confidence intervals for the outcome variables of risk behaviors, previous testing, and positive HIV test results. Of the total 209,954 records, 184,037 were from women not currently pregnant, of which 87,569 (45.6%) were among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs), 47,926 (26.0%) non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), and 41,117 (22.3%) Latinas. Women who reported previous HIV testing had decreased odds of being Latina compared to NHW women (AOR 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87, 0.94), and testing event results indicate that foreign-born Latina women were significantly less likely to report partner risk (AOR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.40-0.54) than US-born Latina women. Of the 24,863 records of pregnant women, 10,199 (41.1%) were among Latinas, 6,796 (27.4%) were among NHB, and 6,631 (26.7%) were among NHW. The testing records indicated that Latina and NHB women had decreased odds of reporting partner risk than NHW women (Latina: AOR 0.20; 95% CI: 0.14-0.28; and NHB: AOR 0.14; 95% CI: 0.10-0.21), and records of women tested in prisons/jails had higher odds of reporting previous HIV testing compared to prenatal care sites (AOR 1.86; 95% CI: 1.03-3.39). Reported risk behaviors varied by race/ethnicity and Latina country of origin. Knowledge of these differences can enhance current testing and prevention strategies for women, and aid in targeting HIV prevention messaging, program decision-making, and allocation of resources, corresponding to the central approach of High Impact Prevention and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.