title: Condomless Sex Among Homeless Youth: The Role of Multidimensional Social Norms and Gender.
abstract: Most studies of condomless sex among homeless youth have focused on peer norms, while excluding other potentially pertinent influences. This study explored how different types of relationships contributed to norms about condomless sex and whether such norms were associated with engagement in condomless sex among homeless youth. Additionally, because recent work has noted gender differences in social networks of male and female homeless youth, gender differences in social network norms of condomless sex were also assessed. Egocentric network data were collected from homeless youth accessing services at two drop-in centers in Los Angeles, CA (N = 976). Multivariate analyses (non-stratified and stratified by gender) assessed associations between descriptive, injunctive, and communicative norms and participants' engagement in condomless sex. Multivariate analyses indicated that perception of peer condom use and communication with sexual partners were significantly associated with not engaging in condomless sex. These relationships, however, varied by gender. Implications for interventions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 S. High St., Denver, CO, 80208, USA. anamika.barmanadhikari@du.edu.
authors.forename: Anamika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barman-Adhikari
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Hsun-Ta
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 S. High St., Denver, CO, 80208, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Begun
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 S. High St., Denver, CO, 80208, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea Perez
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Portillo
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rice
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003142:Communication; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018453:Homeless Youth; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012931:Social Environment; D066262:Social Norms; D012944:Social Support; D047568:Unsafe Sex
keywords: Condomless sex; Homeless youth; Perceived social norms; Referent groups, gender differences