The role of peer, parent, and culture in risky sexual behavior for Cambodian and Lao/Mien adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of age, gender, peer, family, and culture in adolescent risky sexual behavior for Cambodian and Laotian (Lao)/Mien youth.


METHODS
We obtained cross-sectional, in-home interview data including measures of individualism, collectivism, acculturation, risky sexual behavior, peer delinquency, parent engagement, and parent discipline from a sample of mostly second-generation Cambodian (n = 112) and Lao/Mien (n = 67) adolescents. Data were analyzed using step-wise, hierarchical multiple regressions.


RESULTS
Peer delinquency and age (older) were significant predictors of risky sexual behavior in both groups. Parent discipline also significantly predicted risky sexual behavior, but only for Lao/Mien adolescents. Vertical and horizontal individualism were associated positively with risky sexual behavior for Cambodian youth whereas collectivism (horizontal) was associated negatively with risky sexual behavior for Lao/Mien youth. Acculturation was nonsignificant in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to age, parents, and peer groups, the findings suggest that culture also matters in risky sexual behavior, particularly for Cambodian and Laotian youth.
National Council on Crime and Delinquency, Oakland, California 94612, USA. tle@sf.nccd-crc.org
Thao N
TN
Le
Tomoko
T
Kato
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D000367:Age Factors; D002160:Cambodia / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007812:Laos / Q000208:ethnology; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010379:Peer Group; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*