title: Self-efficacy and HIV-related risk behaviors among multiethnic adolescents.
abstract: A cross-sectional correlational design was used to investigate (a) self-efficacy and risk behaviors related to HIV; (b) the comparative predictiveness of self-efficacy and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding sexual activity and substance use; and (c) possible risk profiles for HIV among adolescents. High school students (N = 427), ranging in age from 12 to 20 years and attending Family Life Education classes in Alameda, California, volunteered to complete a self-administered questionnaire, resulting in a 73% response rate. Ethnic representation included African American, Chinese, Filipino, other Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino, and European American. Over half of this sample of teens were sexually active by the age of 14, with sexually active teens and substance-using teens scoring higher on HIV knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding HIV-related behaviors. Ethnicity consistently appeared more significant in predicting these risk behaviors than gender, self-efficacy, and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. The predominance of ethnicity as the predictor for these HIV risk behaviors indicates that theoretical models for behavior change must include a dimension of culture, diversity, and ethnic identity.
authors.affiliation: Sonoma Developmental Center, Eldridge, California, USA.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Faryna
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000208:ethnology