title: Latino cultural values as protective factors against sexual risks among adolescents.
abstract: The study objective was to examine the associations between cultural values and sexual risk factors among Latino youth. A sample of 226 Latino adolescents ages 13-16 completed a survey on cultural and sexual variables. Results indicate higher levels of Latino cultural orientation were related to greater sexual self-efficacy and fewer sexual partners for female adolescents and greater condom use self-efficacy for both males and females. Greater endorsement of simpatia (belief in interpersonal relationship harmony) was associated with sexual abstinence and greater sexual self-efficacy for all adolescents, and with being older at sexual debut for females. Stronger endorsement of respeto (respect towards parents and other authority figures) was correlated with a lower intention to have sex during secondary school and greater condom use self-efficacy. American cultural orientation was associated with less condom use. Our findings indicate Latino cultural values may serve as protective factors against sexual risk behaviors among Latino youth.
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. Electronic address: mmindy@nova.edu.
authors.forename: Mindy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Center for Psychological Studies, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. Electronic address: lmalcolm@nova.edu.
authors.forename: Lydia R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Malcolm
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Center for Psychological Studies, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. Electronic address: diazalbe@nova.edu.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Diaz-Albertini
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Center for Psychological Studies, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. Electronic address: veralope@nova.edu.
authors.forename: Vera A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Klinoff
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Humanities and Social Sciences, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. Electronic address: el157@nova.edu.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leeder
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Center for Psychological Studies, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. Electronic address: sohanib@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sohani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barrientos
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Center for Psychological Studies, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. Electronic address: kibler@nova.edu.
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kibler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003469:Culture; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012746:Sexual Abstinence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Acculturation; Adolescents; Latino cultural values; Sexual behaviors