Predictors of Risky Sexual Behavior in African American Adolescent Girls: Implications for Prevention Interventions

• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/27.6.519
• Publication Date: 2002-09-30T14:40:11Z
• Authors: P. J. Bachanas
• Keywords: Peer pressure

Objective: To describe empirically the risky sexual behavior of an at-risk sample adolescent girls, to assess psychosocial correlates behavior, and examine utility applying a risk protective model predicting teens' behavior. Method: Participants included 158 African American ages 12 19, who were receiving medical care in primary clinic. Teens completed measures depression, conduct problems, substance use, peer norms, social support, HIV knowledge, self-efficacy, Results: this reported high rates behaviors, including early debuts frequent unprotected encounters with multiple partners. girls use that their peers engaged behaviors also engaging behaviors. Little support was obtained for factors (HIV self-efficacy) moderating relations between adolescents' sample. Conclusions: presenting settings urban environments seem be at HIV, STDs, abuse, reduction strategies should introduced during preteen years. An interdisciplinary serving adolescents is clearly indicated, prevention-oriented interventions aimed reducing preventing development more significant health, mental or abuse disorders are needed.