title: Self-silencing and age as risk factors for sexually acquired HIV in midlife and older women.
abstract: Objectives. This study explores the contribution of psychosocial factors on sex behaviors of midlife and older women. Methods. A community-based sample of ethnically diverse women (N = 572) between the ages of 50 and 93 completed standardized measures of self-silencing, self-esteem, sensation seeking behavior, HIV-related stigma behavior, sexual assertiveness, and safer sex behaviors. Results. Results from the regression analysis indicated the model significantly predicted safer sex behaviors (p < .001), with self silencing(â = -.115, p < .05) and age (â = .173, p < .001) as significant predictors.Bivariate correlation analysis indicated an inverse correlation between HIV stigma (p < .05) and safer sex behaviors. Discussion. Implications for further study and practice are discussed to include considerations for development of age- and gender-appropriate prevention interventions assisting women with interpersonal processes combined with skills for active involvement in addressing high-risk sex behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Fourth Floor Terry Building, Room 1425, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA. rjacobs@nova.edu
authors.forename: Robin J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thomlison
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001242:Assertiveness; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*