Ethnic differences in the psychosocial antecedents of needle/syringe disinfection.
This study examined psychosocial antecedents of needle/syringe disinfection by 209 injection drug users in three ethnic groups. Among Whites, high perceived self-efficacy for risk reduction had a positive effect on subsequent disinfection attempts. Among African Americans and Mexican Americans, peer norms favorable to risk reduction had a positive effect on subsequent disinfection attempts, while self-efficacy had no effect. These results suggest that risk-reduction capabilities may be rooted in individualistic perceptions of the self among White drug users, while 'collective self' perceptions are more relevant to these capabilities among African American and Mexican American drug users. HIV risk intervention may have more impact in specific ethnic groups if these distinctions are taken into account. Results also demonstrate the importance of comparing models of behavior change across ethnic groups.
UCLA Drug Abuse Research Center, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
D
D
Longshore
J A
JA
Stein
M D
MD
Anglin
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D004203:Disinfection; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D012945:Social Values; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*