This study extends the research of Rodgers (1999) on the relationship between parenting processes and adolescent sexual risk-taking. Parenting behaviors considering were parental monitoring, parent-adolescent communication, and parenting styles. Sexual risk-taking was determined by assessing number of lifetime sexual partners as well as use of condoms during last sexual intercourse. A sample (n=286) of 9th-12th grade males and females who reporting having had sexual intercourse were separated into two groups-those engaging in low sexual risk-taking or high sexual risk-taking. Logistic regression analysis revealed gender differences in the relationship between parents' behaviors and adolescent sexual risk-taking. For females, parenting monitoring of the adolescent's after-school whereabouts was related to a decrease in the odds that a daughter would take sexual risks. For males, parental monitoring of whom the adolescent male goes out with was related to a decrease in the odds of a son taking sexual risks. Several significant interaction effects were also found. / Master of Science

Approfondir les connaissances sur l'évolution et les facteurs associés aux comportements sexuels chez les PVVIH exposées aux traitements antirétroviraux en Afrique subsaharienne. Données collectées dans le cadre d'un essai randomisé conduit dans neuf hôpitaux de district ruraux au Cameroun. 459 PVVIH éligibles au traitement inclus et suivis sur 24 mois. Régression logistique à effets mixtes utilisée pour analyser les facteurs associés aux différentes variables réponses étudiées.La proportion des patients sexuellement actifs augmente de 32% à l'inclusion à 56% après 24 mois de traitement. Une augmentation supplémentaire du temps depuis l'initiation du traitement de 6 mois augmente de 30% de la probabilité de déclarer une activité sexuelle sous ARV. Proportion des patients ayant des comportements sexuels à risque (CSR) baisse significativement de 76% à l'inclusion à 66% au 24e mois, les patients obervants au traitement étaient moins susceptibles de rapporter les CSR. La proportion des patients susceptibles de transmettre le VIH par voie sexuelle (STVIH) baisse de 76% à l'inclusion à 27% après 24 mois de traitement ARV. Une augmentation du temps depuis l'initiation du traitement de 6 mois réduit de 66% la STVIH. Mes travaux montrent un impact positif des ARV sur l'activité sexuelle des PVVIH, les CSR et la STVIH, suggérant un effet positif de l'exposition des PVVIH aux traitements ARV sur la prévention de la transmission sexuelle du VIH. Mais, le risque potentiel de transmission du VIH persiste nécessitant le renforcement des interventions de réduction des risques dans les programmes d'accès aux ARV. / To evaluate the evolution and factors associated with sexual behavior among PLWHA exposed to antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa. Data collected as part of a randomized trial conducted in nine rural district hospitals in Cameroon. 459 PLWHA eligible for treatment included and followed for 24 months. Mixed effects logistic regression used to analyze factors associated with different response variables studied. Proportion of patients sexually active increased from 32% at baseline to 56% after 24 months of treatment. An additional 6 months increase of the time since initiation of treatment increase in 30% the probability of reporting sexual activity. Proportion of patients with sexual risk behavior (SRB) decreased significantly from 76% at baseline to 66% at 24 months and patient obervants to treatment were less likely to report CSR. Proportion of patients likely to transmit HIV through sexual intercourse (STVIH) decrease from 76% at baseline to 27% after 24 months of HAART. Analyses shown that increasing in 6 months of time since initiation of treatment reduced STVIH by 66%. My dissertation show a positive impact of ART on sexual activity, CSR and STVIH among PLWHA, suggesting a positive effect of exposure to HAART on the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV. However, the potential risk of transmission of HIV persists requiring strengthening risk reduction interventions in HAART access programs.

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.

Submitted by Jailda Nascimento (jmnascimento@pucsp.br) on 2016-10-04T14:32:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Roberto Garcia.pdf: 4809301 bytes, checksum: d4e473a0adf83548a31acfe46f828f61 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-04T14:32:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Roberto Garcia.pdf: 4809301 bytes, checksum: d4e473a0adf83548a31acfe46f828f61 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-08 / This study aimed to identify and understand factors involved in conducts of circumstantial omission and refusal of condom use with casual and/or stable partners by MSM living with HIV+; and as a specific objective, to understand the behavior of intentional and deliberate refusal of condom use among MSM with HIV+. In this research of mixed methods, comparing reports between quantitative and qualitative components, 178 participants were selected for the quantitative stage (total sample = T), who filled out a sociodemographic form with condom usage habits, as well as two scales – Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS). From this universe, 81 participants were selected for the qualitative stage (Subsample = S-2), also answering to three fictional-projective stories and rating a 2014 National Campaign Poster on HIV. For the qualitative analysis we used the Discourse of the Collective Subject; and for the quantitative analysis we opted for the combination of Natural Language Processing and triangulation with qualitative results. Among the main findings we highlight that, in the quantitative stage, from the 73 subjects (41%) (T) that had declared the use of condom in all their sexual relations, only 14 (17.3%) (S-2) effectively admitted its use in the qualitative stage, indicating divergence between the two groups. Similarly, this contradiction was repeated as to the use of psychoactive substances – characterized in this study as the main triggering factor of condom use omission –, since only 28% (T) initially admitted having used them, in contrast to the total of 56% (S- 2) in the qualitative stage. Another difference that would mean a "clear proof" of failure and refusal of condom use occurred in their assertion of having contracted STIs after the HIV diagnosis, identified in 35.5% (T) and 52% (S-2), respectively. Another finding was the intentional and deliberate refusal of condom use associated with signs of compulsive sexual behavior and risk in pleasure, including the barebackers and those practiced in cruising areas. Given the significant divergences between the initial reports of the participants and what was later identified in the two stages of this research, we conclude that clinical guidelines and public policies should be cautious in research interpretation, with proper checkings associated with further investigations. The clinical features observed in this study, including the evidence of impulsive and compulsive sexual behaviors, may constitute determining benchmarks to be taking into account in future actions associated to the use of condoms by MSM with HIV+ / Cette étude a eu pour but principal d‟identifier et de comprendre les facteurs impliqués dans le comportement de l'omission circonstancielle et le refus de l'utilisation du préservatif avec des partenaires occasionnels et / ou stables des HSH VIH+; et comme objectif spécifique, comprendre le comportement de refus intentionnel et délibéré de l'utilisation du préservatif chez les HSH VIH+. Dans cette recherche utilisant des méthodes mixtes, qui a comparé les récits recueillis chez les composantes quantitatives et qualitatives, 178 participants ont été sélectionnés pour l‟étape quantitative (échantillon total = T), ceux-là ont rempli un formulaire socio-démographique portant également sur leurs habitudes d'utilisation du préservatif, et deux échelles - la Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) et l'Échelle de la Compulsion Sexuelle (ECS). Dans cet univers, 81 participants ont été alors choisis (sous-échantillon = S-2) pour l'étape qualitative, lesquels ont également répondu à trois histoires fictives-projectives et évalué une affiche de la Campagne nationale contre le VIH de 2014. Comme méthode d'analyse qualitative, nous avons utilisé le Discours du sujet collectif; et pour l'analyse quantitative, nous avons choisi la combinaison du Traitement de la langue naturelle et la triangulation avec des résultats qualitatifs. Parmi les principaux résultats, nous soulignons que, au cours de l‟étape quantitative, sur les 73 sujets (41%) (T) qui avaient déclaré initialement avoir utilisé des préservatifs lors de toutes les relations sexuelles, au cours de l‟étape qualitative seulement 14 (17,3%) (S-2) ont admis l‟utiliser effectivement, ce qui montre des divergences entre les deux groupes. Cette contradiction s‟est répétée en ce qui concerne l'utilisation de substances psychoactives - caractérisée dans cette étude comme le principal facteur déclencheur de l'omission de l‟utilisation du préservatif -, car seulement 28% (T) ont initialement admis les utiliser, en contraste avec le total de 56% (S- 2) lors de l‟étape qualitative. Une autre divergence, qui représenterait une «preuve définitive» de l'omission et du refus de l'utilisation du préservatif, a eu lieu lorsqu‟ils ont déclaré avoir contracté les MST après le diagnostic du VIH, identifiée dans 35,5% (T) et dans 52% (S-2) respectivement. Une autre constatation est le refus intentionnel et délibéré de l'utilisation du préservatif associé à des indices de comportement sexuel compulsif et le plaisir du risque, parmi lesquels ceux des barebackers et ceux pratiqués dans les cruising areas. Compte tenu des divergences importantes existant entre les récits initiaux des participants et ce qui a été identifié plus tard au cours des deux étapes de cette recherche, nous avons conclu que les orientations cliniques et celles des politiques publiques doivent être plus prudentes en ce qui concerne l'interprétation des enquêtes, en effectuant les vérifications nécessaires associées à une investigation plus approfondie. Les caractéristiques cliniques observées dans cette étude, parmi lesquelles les indices de comportement sexuel impulsif et compulsif, peuvent constituer des référentiels déterminants à prendre en considération lors des actions futures concernant l'utilisation des préservatifs chez les HSH VIH+ / Este estudo teve como objetivo principal identificar e compreender fatores envolvidos nos comportamentos de omissão circunstancial e recusa do uso do preservativo com parcerias eventuais e/ou estáveis de HSH HIV+; e, como objetivo específico, compreender o comportamento de recusa intencional e deliberada do uso do preservativo entre HSH HIV+. Nesta pesquisa de métodos mistos, que comparou os relatos entre os componentes quantitativos e qualitativos, foram selecionados 178 participantes para a etapa quantitativa (amostra total = T), que preencheram um formulário sociodemográfico e de hábitos do uso do preservativo, e duas escalas – a Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) e a Escala de Compulsividade Sexual (ECS). Desse universo, foram então selecionados 81 participantes (Subamostra = S-2) para a etapa qualitativa, que também responderam a três histórias fictício-projetivas e avaliaram um cartaz de Campanha Nacional do HIV de 2014. Como método de análise qualitativa, utilizamos o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo; e para a análise quantitativa optamos pela combinação de Processamento de Língua Natural e triangulação com resultados qualitativos. Dentre os principais resultados encontrados destacamos que, na etapa quantitativa, dos 73 sujeitos (41%) (T) que declararam inicialmente ter usado preservativos durante todas as relações sexuais, na etapa qualitativa apenas 14 (17,3%) (S-2) admitiram efetivamente usá-lo, demonstrando divergências entre os dois grupos. Essa contradição se repetiu no uso de substâncias psicoativas – caracterizado neste estudo como o principal fator desencadeador da omissão do uso do preservativo –, pois somente 28% (T) inicialmente admitiram usá-las, em contraste com o total de 56% (S-2) na etapa qualitativa. Outra divergência, que representaria a “prova cabal” de omissão e recusa do uso do preservativo, ocorreu na declaração de terem contraído DSTs após o diagnóstico do HIV, identificada em 35,5% (T) e em 52% (S-2), respectivamente. Outra constatação foi a recusa intencional e deliberada do uso do preservativo associada a indícios de comportamento sexual compulsivo e prazer no risco, entre eles o dos barebackers, e aqueles praticados nas cruising areas. Considerando as significativas divergências entre os relatos iniciais dos participantes e o que foi identificado posteriormente nas duas etapas desta pesquisa, conclui-se que orientações clínicas e de políticas públicas devem ser cautelosas na interpretação de pesquisas, com as devidas checagens associadas a uma investigação mais aprofundada. As características clínicas observadas neste estudo, entre elas os indícios de comportamentos sexuais impulsivos e compulsivos, podem se constituir em referenciais determinantes a serem considerados em futuras ações quanto ao uso do preservativo em HSH HIV+

Sexual risk behaviors pose a major public health problem. However, sufficient research has not been done on the relationship between health risk behaviors and emotional intelligence. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence, and sexual, smoking, and alcohol behavior among young adults. As well as explore the relationship between health risk behaviors. Emotional intelligence and sexual, alcohol, and smoking behavior of undergraduate college students from the greater Los Angeles area was assessed through an anonymous online questionnaire (n=80). There was no significant difference found in emotional intelligence between college students engaging in risk behaviors and college students not engaging in risk behaviors, for all risk behaviors assessed. However, there was a strong correlation found between college students engagement in different risk behaviors. These results indicate there is no significant relationship between emotional intelligence and health risk behaviors. Research about this relationship can be useful in designing interventions that reduce negative health outcome associated with health risk behaviors.

In 2015, Mississippi had the 3rd highest adolescent birth rate in the United States, high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, and enduring racial disparities between African American and White teenagers. Few researchers have described the immediate cultural environment to determine how it may influence the sexual behaviors and attitudes of African American teens. The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study was to describe the sociocultural environment of African American adolescents in Mississippi that influences their sexual behavior by exploring the knowledge, feelings, experiences and beliefs of African American adults. The social cognitive theory was used as a theoretical framework to address 3 purpose-driven research questions. Criterion-based convenience and snowball sampling was used to select 16 African American male and female participants ages 18-64 who were residents of the study location for at least 10 years. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview protocol designed. Interview transcripts were coded, data was triangulated, and themes were identified based upon participant responses. Findings were identified across 3 thematic categories: knowledge, beliefs and experiences, and community engagement. Participants wanted adolescents to postpone sexual activity until they were more mature and believed adolescents and their parents need education and improved communication about risks and prevention. Recommendations include deeper exploration into public health and community engagement strategies to improve health outcomes in the face of unique community challenges. Social change may also result from this study's initiation of community conversations around adolescent sexuality and healthy development.

The Navajo tribe reports extraordinarily high number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual populations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the cultural value of adil' idli (self-respect) and how this cultural practice might influence health behaviors in sexual activity, condoms use, and acquiring of STDs among Navajo men. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the theoretical foundation for providing a deeper understanding of the social, environmental, and cultural factors of condom use among Navajo men. Research questions focus on understanding whether condoms affected sexual activity, its protective role against STDs/HIV, and acceptability concerns pertaining to adil' idli (self-respect). A purposeful criterion-based sampling was used to select and interview 20 Navajo men ages 20 to 39 who lived in or near Shiprock, New Mexico and Gallup, New Mexico. I used a grounded approach and categorizing strategy to code and analyze the transcripts. Key findings revealed that the positive components of adil' idli (self-respect) have influenced Navajo men to protect themselves by wearing condoms. Recommendations include identifying strategies to address condom errors and failures and to develop tactful approaches to promote correct condom use in order to decrease the rates of STDs and HIV among Navajo men. The positive social change implications include health professionals' use of findings to improve STD and condom use prevention behavior among Navajo men by integrating the cultural beliefs of adil' idli (self-respect), specifically emphasizing the positive aspects of staying healthy in health messages.

Two significant public health concerns that threaten both the physical and mental health of African-American women are Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). African-American women (AAW) in the south carry the greatest burden of HIV and disproportionately represent the region with an incidence of 71% for new HIV infections, and elevated rates of morbidity and mortality. In 2013, the murder rate among AAW was 2.5 times higher than it was among Caucasian women. Most of the published studies that explored the association between IPV and HIV had mixed populations, did not explore topics unique to AAs, or were qualitative studies. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between colorism, IPV, and high-risk sexual behaviors (HRSB)/HIV-risk among AAW and determine if colorism was a mediator in the IPV-HRSB relationship. The theory of power and gender and the social cognitive theory provided the theoretical framework of this study. The dissemination of this self-assessed quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was to a homogeneous sample of 143 women. The analysis of the variables used correlation statistics and linear regression. Findings revealed a significant relationship between IPV-HRSB (r = .882, p =.001), colorism-IPV (r2 = .371, p = .001) and colorism-HRSB (r = .377, p = .001); however, colorism did not mediate the IPV-HRSB relationship. This study has implications for positive social change in that practitioners may gain a better understanding of colorism's influence on IPV and HRSB, and may serve to modify existing programs. This knowledge may subsequently help to decrease adverse behaviors that are unique to AAW prone to IPV with an increased HIV-risk as a result of colorism.

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.