title: When, where, why and with whom homeless women engage in risky sexual behaviors: A framework for understanding complex and varied decision-making processes.
abstract: Impoverished women worldwide are at high risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. This study explores how homeless women make risky sex decisions and the role that alcohol and drugs play in this process. We analyze 56 in-depth qualitative descriptions of recent sexual episodes among 28 women living in shelters in Los Angeles, California, USA. The sample (age 18-63) was 46% African American, 21% Hispanic/Latina, and 21% white. Findings suggest that: (1) homeless women engage in multiple types of relationships and sexual behaviors; (2) emotion and attachment play critical roles in women's risky sex choices; and (3) the role of alcohol and drugs on such choices varies across relationship commitment. Understanding the complexity of sexual decision-making among this population has implications for developing successful risk reduction interventions.
authors.affiliation: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California.
authors.forename: Gery W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Stefanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hilton
authors.forename: Joan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Golinelli
authors.forename: Suzanne L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wenzel