Personal, cognitive, behavioral, and demographic predictors of HIV testing and STDs in homeless women.
Using a multiracial sample of 621 homeless women, we tested a latent variable causal model of personal, cognitive, behavioral, and demographic predictors of two coping mediators and the outcome variables of HIV testing and return for test results and a recent STD infection. HIV testing and return were predicted by more social support, greater AIDS knowledge, greater perceived risk for AIDS, and more problem-focused coping strategies. Recent STDs were predicted by more AIDS knowledge, emotion-focused coping strategies, and risky sexual behavior and one measured variable, crack cocaine use. Emotion-focused coping strategies were predicted by drug use, less self-esteem, more social support, and greater perceived risk for AIDS. Hispanics reported less emotion-focused coping strategies than African-Americans. Predictors of problem-focused coping strategies included less drug use, more self-esteem, more social support, more AIDS knowledge, and less risky sexual behavior. African-Americans reported less problem-focused coping strategies than Latinas. Indirect effects on the outcomes mediated through coping styles are also reported. Theoretical and practical implications of results for community outreach are discussed.
Nyamathi
A M
AM
School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles 90095-1702, USA. ANYAMATH@SONNET.UCLA.EDU
Stein
J A
JA
Swanson
J M
JM
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044383:Black People; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology; D003710:Demography; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D012944:Social Support; D044465:White People