Sexual risk behavior in emerging adults: gender-specific effects of hedonism, psychosocial distress, and sociocognitive variables in a 5-year longitudinal study.
The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal effects of HIV protection intention, condom self-efficacy, psychosocial distress and hedonism on sexual risk behavior up to 5 years later. The sample included 1,290 Swiss heterosexual young adults aged 16-24 years. A series of hierarchical logistic regression analyses yielded clear gender-specific results showing that for women condom self-efficacy and psychosocial distress, and for men HIV protection intention and hedonism, predicted sexual risk behavior up to 5 years later. The relationship between psychosocial distress and sexual risk behavior in women was partially mediated by a lower condom self-efficacy but not by a lower HIV protection intention. High hedonism in young men did not decrease HIV protection intention but had a direct effect on sexual risk behavior. Theoretical consequences for sociocognitive models of sexual risk behavior and practical implications for prevention are discussed.
Brodbeck
Jeannette
J
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. jb669@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Vilén
Ulrika Louise
UL
Bachmann
Monica
M
Znoj
Hansjoerg
H
Alsaker
Françoise D
FD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010684:Philosophy; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013557:Switzerland; D055815:Young Adult