The influences of family relationship variables on motivations for adolescent sexual risk-taking were investigated. Previous research has linked these variables to adolescent sexual behavior, however, the nature of these links has not been specifically examined. Family variables were operationalized as child attachment to mother, parental support of each other, parental conflict strategies, and parental monitoring. Emotional motivations were operationalized as attachment and affiliation needs. The sample consisted of 40 single females ages 18 to22 recruited from a local pregnancy care center. Predictions that parent-child relationship and parental influence would predict emotional motivations for sexual risk-taking were not supported. The variable most highly related to sexual risk-taking, though not included in the model tested, was father's destructive conflict strategies. Theoretical and methodological issues are discussed.

HIV/AIDS is a growing concern in the African American community. From 2005 to 2008, there was a 12% increase in HIV/AIDS diagnoses among African Americans (CDC, 2010a). African American males have higher rates of HIV/AIDS diagnoses than any other ethnic or racial groups. In 2006, 65% of the HIV/AIDS cases among African Americans were from adult males (CDC, 2010a). These higher rates are in part attributed to higher levels of sexual risk-taking including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and sex with high-risk partners. African American adult men get tested at almost the same rate (52%) as African American women 53% (CDC, 2007). HIV testing is important to the prevention of HIV/AIDS and can result in substantial reductions in risk behaviors (Marks, Crepaz, & Janssen, 2006; Weinhardt, Carey, Johnson, & Bickham, 1999). Masculinity, a man’s concept of what it means to be man, influences engagement in sexual risk-taking behaviors (Bowleg, 2004, Duck, 2009; Lichtenstein, 2004), as well as health-seeking behaviors (Hammond, Matthews, Mohottige, Agyemang, & Corbie-Smith, 2010; Royster, Richmond, Eng, & Margolis, 2006). One form of masculinity, hypermasculinity is related to sexual risk-taking behaviors, especially among young African American males. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the relationship between hypermasculinity and sexual risk-taking, and HIV testing among African American males. One hundred twenty-six African American male college students were recruited to participate in an HIV prevention intervention for African American women on a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) campus. Prior to participating in the intervention, participants completed a questionnaire with measures of hypermasculinity, sexual behavior, and HIV testing. The results showed that hypermasculinity predicted frequency of sex. Hypermasculinity and frequency of sex predicted lifetime HIV testing. Frequency of sex and the number of sex partners predicted current HIV testing (in the past month). The interaction between hypermasculinity and frequency of sex was marginally significant. The findings from this research may increase our understanding of sexual risk-taking, improve HIV testing initiatives, and be useful in the development of HIV prevention programs for African American heterosexual males.

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / This study examined the relationship between parental monitoring and parent-adolescent communication, respectively, and sexual risk-taking behaviours. Participants consisted of 197 grade 11 and 12 learners at Bankuna High School and D. Z. J. Mthebule Secondary School in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality. The learners’ ages ranged from 15 years to 25 years. Sexual risk-taking behaviours was determined by assessing adolescents’ use of condoms, and drugs or alcohol, prior to sexual intercourse. The results indicated a statistically significant relationship between parental monitoring and the adolescents’ sexual risk-taking behaviours. However, no association was found between parent-adolescent communication and sexual risk-taking behaviours. Furthermore, the results showed that gender, socio-economic status, family structure and functioning did not play any significant role in the relationship between parental monitoring and parent-adolescent communication respectively, and sexual risk-taking behaviours.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a relação entre comportamentos sexuais de risco e religiosidade entre jovens brasileiros de nível socioeconômico baixo. A pesquisa foi dividida em dois estudos: transversal (em São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife e Campo Grande) e longitudinal (em Porto Alegre). Participaram 4078 jovens com idades entre 14 e 24 anos, 46,5% masculino e 53,5% feminino, vivendo em situação de pobreza. Foi utilizado um instrumento auto-aplicável e confidencial de 109 questões. Os dados foram coletados em escolas e ONGs de forma coletiva. Foram desenvolvidas duas escalas, uma medindo religiosidade e outra comportamento de risco sexual (um indice composto por idade da primeira relação sexual, uso de camisinha, uso de métodos contraceptivos, abuso sexual e gravidez). A média de idade dos jovens participantes foi de 16,14 anos (SD=1,83) e não foi encontrada diferença entre moças e rapazes. Os resultados indicam que 97,2% são heterossexuais e 46,8% já tiveram a primeira relação sexual. A média de idade para o debute sexual foi de 14,24 anos (SD=0,60). A média do escore de comportamento de risco sexual foi de 0,60 (SD 0,60) com diferença significativa entre moças e rapazes (t=8,99; p<0,001), com média mais elevada para as moças (0,68 e 0,51). Em termos de religiosidade, a maioria se auto-declarou como católicos (40,8%), seguidos por aqueles que não têm uma religião (24,5%) e protestantes (20,5%). Houve uma diferença significativa para o nível de religiosidade (t=11,47; p<0,001) entre moças e rapazes, a média do índice de religiosidade para eles foi de -0,21 (SD=1,03) e para elas foi de 0,19 (SD=0,94). A amostra foi dividida em três grupos de religiosidade: alta, média e baixa religiosidade. O grupo com alta religiosidade teve o maior indice de comportamento sexual de risco (F=7,82; p<0,001). De seis indicadores de risco sexual, somente a relação sexual foi associada ao nível de religiosidade (participantes mais religiosos tenderam a atrasar a idade da primeira relação sexual). Dados longitudinais revelaram que a experiência sexual tende a diminuir o nível de religiosidade. Os resultados sugerem que, embora a religiosidade seja um fator de proteção atrasando a primeira relação sexual, esta não se mantem como um fator de proteção significativo após o debute sexual. / The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between sexual risk taking behavior and religiosity among poor youth in Brazil. The research was divided into two studies: cross-sectional (in the cities of São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife and Campo Grande) and longitudinal (in Porto Alegre). The research was conducted with 4078 young people, ages 14-24, 46.5 % males and 53.5% females, living in poor social conditions. Data were collected using a confidential self-administered questionnaire with 109 questions. Data collection was conducted in groups at schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Two scales were developed from the data, the first measuring religiosity and the second measuring sexual risk taking behavior (a composite of age of first sexual intercourse, condom use, contraception method, sexual abuse and pregnancy). The mean age was 16.14 years old (SD 1.83) and there is no age difference between males and females. Results indicate that 97.2% were heterosexual and 46,8% have had their first sexual intercourse. The mean age for the sexual debut was 14.24 years old (SD 1.93). The mean score of sexual risk taking behavior was 0.60 (SD 0.60) for the overall sample. A significant difference was found between males and females (t=8.99; p<0,001), showing that the girls have higher scores than the boys (0.68 and 0.51). Concerning religiosity, the majority was catholic (40.8%), followed by people who do not have a religion (24.5%) and protestants (20.5%). There was a significant gender difference for religiosity (t=11.47; p<0.001), the mean for males was -0.21 (SD 1.03) and for females was 0.19 (SD 0.94). The sample was divided into three groups of religiosity: high, medium or low religiosity. The high religiosity group has the highest level of sexual risk taking behavior (F=7.82; p<0.001). Of the six risk-taking indicators, only sexual debut was associated with religiosity (respondents who were more religious tended to delay sexual intercourse). Longitudinal data showed that experiencing sexual intercourse decrease religiosity levels. The findings suggest that, although religiosity plays a protective role delaying sexual debut, this is not a predictive variable for sexual risk taking behavior among poor young people in Brazil, once they are not abstinent.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a relação entre comportamentos sexuais de risco e religiosidade entre jovens brasileiros de nível socioeconômico baixo. A pesquisa foi dividida em dois estudos: transversal (em São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife e Campo Grande) e longitudinal (em Porto Alegre). Participaram 4078 jovens com idades entre 14 e 24 anos, 46,5% masculino e 53,5% feminino, vivendo em situação de pobreza. Foi utilizado um instrumento auto-aplicável e confidencial de 109 questões. Os dados foram coletados em escolas e ONGs de forma coletiva. Foram desenvolvidas duas escalas, uma medindo religiosidade e outra comportamento de risco sexual (um indice composto por idade da primeira relação sexual, uso de camisinha, uso de métodos contraceptivos, abuso sexual e gravidez). A média de idade dos jovens participantes foi de 16,14 anos (SD=1,83) e não foi encontrada diferença entre moças e rapazes. Os resultados indicam que 97,2% são heterossexuais e 46,8% já tiveram a primeira relação sexual. A média de idade para o debute sexual foi de 14,24 anos (SD=0,60). A média do escore de comportamento de risco sexual foi de 0,60 (SD 0,60) com diferença significativa entre moças e rapazes (t=8,99; p<0,001), com média mais elevada para as moças (0,68 e 0,51). Em termos de religiosidade, a maioria se auto-declarou como católicos (40,8%), seguidos por aqueles que não têm uma religião (24,5%) e protestantes (20,5%). Houve uma diferença significativa para o nível de religiosidade (t=11,47; p<0,001) entre moças e rapazes, a média do índice de religiosidade para eles foi de -0,21 (SD=1,03) e para elas foi de 0,19 (SD=0,94). A amostra foi dividida em três grupos de religiosidade: alta, média e baixa religiosidade. O grupo com alta religiosidade teve o maior indice de comportamento sexual de risco (F=7,82; p<0,001). De seis indicadores de risco sexual, somente a relação sexual foi associada ao nível de religiosidade (participantes mais religiosos tenderam a atrasar a idade da primeira relação sexual). Dados longitudinais revelaram que a experiência sexual tende a diminuir o nível de religiosidade. Os resultados sugerem que, embora a religiosidade seja um fator de proteção atrasando a primeira relação sexual, esta não se mantem como um fator de proteção significativo após o debute sexual. / The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between sexual risk taking behavior and religiosity among poor youth in Brazil. The research was divided into two studies: cross-sectional (in the cities of São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife and Campo Grande) and longitudinal (in Porto Alegre). The research was conducted with 4078 young people, ages 14-24, 46.5 % males and 53.5% females, living in poor social conditions. Data were collected using a confidential self-administered questionnaire with 109 questions. Data collection was conducted in groups at schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Two scales were developed from the data, the first measuring religiosity and the second measuring sexual risk taking behavior (a composite of age of first sexual intercourse, condom use, contraception method, sexual abuse and pregnancy). The mean age was 16.14 years old (SD 1.83) and there is no age difference between males and females. Results indicate that 97.2% were heterosexual and 46,8% have had their first sexual intercourse. The mean age for the sexual debut was 14.24 years old (SD 1.93). The mean score of sexual risk taking behavior was 0.60 (SD 0.60) for the overall sample. A significant difference was found between males and females (t=8.99; p<0,001), showing that the girls have higher scores than the boys (0.68 and 0.51). Concerning religiosity, the majority was catholic (40.8%), followed by people who do not have a religion (24.5%) and protestants (20.5%). There was a significant gender difference for religiosity (t=11.47; p<0.001), the mean for males was -0.21 (SD 1.03) and for females was 0.19 (SD 0.94). The sample was divided into three groups of religiosity: high, medium or low religiosity. The high religiosity group has the highest level of sexual risk taking behavior (F=7.82; p<0.001). Of the six risk-taking indicators, only sexual debut was associated with religiosity (respondents who were more religious tended to delay sexual intercourse). Longitudinal data showed that experiencing sexual intercourse decrease religiosity levels. The findings suggest that, although religiosity plays a protective role delaying sexual debut, this is not a predictive variable for sexual risk taking behavior among poor young people in Brazil, once they are not abstinent.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a relação entre comportamentos sexuais de risco e religiosidade entre jovens brasileiros de nível socioeconômico baixo. A pesquisa foi dividida em dois estudos: transversal (em São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife e Campo Grande) e longitudinal (em Porto Alegre). Participaram 4078 jovens com idades entre 14 e 24 anos, 46,5% masculino e 53,5% feminino, vivendo em situação de pobreza. Foi utilizado um instrumento auto-aplicável e confidencial de 109 questões. Os dados foram coletados em escolas e ONGs de forma coletiva. Foram desenvolvidas duas escalas, uma medindo religiosidade e outra comportamento de risco sexual (um indice composto por idade da primeira relação sexual, uso de camisinha, uso de métodos contraceptivos, abuso sexual e gravidez). A média de idade dos jovens participantes foi de 16,14 anos (SD=1,83) e não foi encontrada diferença entre moças e rapazes. Os resultados indicam que 97,2% são heterossexuais e 46,8% já tiveram a primeira relação sexual. A média de idade para o debute sexual foi de 14,24 anos (SD=0,60). A média do escore de comportamento de risco sexual foi de 0,60 (SD 0,60) com diferença significativa entre moças e rapazes (t=8,99; p<0,001), com média mais elevada para as moças (0,68 e 0,51). Em termos de religiosidade, a maioria se auto-declarou como católicos (40,8%), seguidos por aqueles que não têm uma religião (24,5%) e protestantes (20,5%). Houve uma diferença significativa para o nível de religiosidade (t=11,47; p<0,001) entre moças e rapazes, a média do índice de religiosidade para eles foi de -0,21 (SD=1,03) e para elas foi de 0,19 (SD=0,94). A amostra foi dividida em três grupos de religiosidade: alta, média e baixa religiosidade. O grupo com alta religiosidade teve o maior indice de comportamento sexual de risco (F=7,82; p<0,001). De seis indicadores de risco sexual, somente a relação sexual foi associada ao nível de religiosidade (participantes mais religiosos tenderam a atrasar a idade da primeira relação sexual). Dados longitudinais revelaram que a experiência sexual tende a diminuir o nível de religiosidade. Os resultados sugerem que, embora a religiosidade seja um fator de proteção atrasando a primeira relação sexual, esta não se mantem como um fator de proteção significativo após o debute sexual. / The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between sexual risk taking behavior and religiosity among poor youth in Brazil. The research was divided into two studies: cross-sectional (in the cities of São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife and Campo Grande) and longitudinal (in Porto Alegre). The research was conducted with 4078 young people, ages 14-24, 46.5 % males and 53.5% females, living in poor social conditions. Data were collected using a confidential self-administered questionnaire with 109 questions. Data collection was conducted in groups at schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Two scales were developed from the data, the first measuring religiosity and the second measuring sexual risk taking behavior (a composite of age of first sexual intercourse, condom use, contraception method, sexual abuse and pregnancy). The mean age was 16.14 years old (SD 1.83) and there is no age difference between males and females. Results indicate that 97.2% were heterosexual and 46,8% have had their first sexual intercourse. The mean age for the sexual debut was 14.24 years old (SD 1.93). The mean score of sexual risk taking behavior was 0.60 (SD 0.60) for the overall sample. A significant difference was found between males and females (t=8.99; p<0,001), showing that the girls have higher scores than the boys (0.68 and 0.51). Concerning religiosity, the majority was catholic (40.8%), followed by people who do not have a religion (24.5%) and protestants (20.5%). There was a significant gender difference for religiosity (t=11.47; p<0.001), the mean for males was -0.21 (SD 1.03) and for females was 0.19 (SD 0.94). The sample was divided into three groups of religiosity: high, medium or low religiosity. The high religiosity group has the highest level of sexual risk taking behavior (F=7.82; p<0.001). Of the six risk-taking indicators, only sexual debut was associated with religiosity (respondents who were more religious tended to delay sexual intercourse). Longitudinal data showed that experiencing sexual intercourse decrease religiosity levels. The findings suggest that, although religiosity plays a protective role delaying sexual debut, this is not a predictive variable for sexual risk taking behavior among poor young people in Brazil, once they are not abstinent.

This thesis investigates the underlying factors behind sexual risk-taking and non-risk-taking behavior with regard to Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) among adolescents in Lusaka, Zambia. The Qualitative Approach was used for data collection and analysis and using the theory of Social Construction, the author explains how different contexts and aspects in the Zambian Society, that is Traditional, Socio-economic, Political, etc., influence the sexuality or sexual behavior of young people in Zambia. Hermeneutics was used to interpret the meanings in the texts/transcripts acquired through data collection and from the author’s knowledge and understanding of the Zambian historical and cultural contexts within which the participants of the research were constructed. Max Weber’s Ideal Type concept was also used to explain that each young individual’s sexual behavior is uniquely constructed by societal aspects. It explains how that the discourses of these different aspects of society impact on young people individually causing them to be either Sexually Risk-taking or Non Sexually Risk-taking. Either tendency depends on whether the societal aspect that has most the dominating influence on a given individual's life is a Power factor (causing them to rationally think their way into Non Sexually Risk-taking behavior) or a Risk factor(causing them to rationally think their way into Sexually Risk-taking behavior). The author of this thesis introduces a new Model for Social Construction of Adolescent Sexuality with regard to Risk-taking. She uses it to explain how it is either power factors or risk factors that can have a greater impact on an individual's thinking, causing them to have either sexual risk-taking or non-sexual risk-taking behavior. The author concludes that the extent to which unsafe sex among the Zambian adolescents constitutes a product of interacting and/or main discourses in relation to mainly Traditional aspect risk factors, varies from person to person depending on the strength of given risk factors over any power factors that may be at play in an individual's life.

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The overall aim of the present thesis is to contribute to the knowledge in young people´s experiences, thoughts and norms regarding sexually transmitted infections (STI) and sexual risk-taking. The specific aims are two-fold. The first aim is to explain and understand young Swedish men and women´s lived experience of an STI, in this case genital warts (I, II). The second is to explain and understand the values and attitudes of young men and women to sexual risk-taking (III) in relation to perceptions of gender (IV).   The theoretical perspectives are a reflective lifeworld approach, hermeneutic and gender perspectives. The thesis is based on individual interviews (I, II) and focus groups (III, IV).  The results show that a young person infected by an STI, will experience encounters at different levels. A person with an STI is forced to meet him/herself and their own prejudices. Loss of innocence is highly significant and symbolic for women, while other person´s attitudes are more important for men (I, II). Also, being a disease carrier is of great significance, which has an impact on their views of future meaningful relationships (II).      Sexual risk-taking, such as it was expressed in the focus groups with young people, revealed a pattern that is described as a ‘game’. In that game, a dialogue might feel more intimate than intercourse. These teenagers often view their one night stand partners as objects, as opposed to love relationships where they are viewed as subjects, i.e. persons to be cared for. Engaging in sexual risk-taking often starts at a club where these teenagers pretend that they are spontaneous (III). This game is further illuminated in a secondary analysis with a gender perspective. There are frequent misunderstandings between young men and women that are based on gender constructions, which derive from lack of communication. Hence, they have to take part in a balancing act while shaping their sexual identity and trying to maintain their self-esteem. For these young women, this also concerns not getting a bad reputation. In this act of balance, it is difficult to discuss sexuality and how to protect one’s sexual health (IV). The discussion emphasizes that a professional caring dialogue with young people about STI: s and sexual-risk taking must have reference in the young person´s own reality. Thus, professional health care workers who meet a young person infected with an STI appear to face a challenging task. This involves helping reduce anxiety by defusing the situation, and at the same time to make the person understand the importance of using a condom in order to prevent STI: s.