Harmful alcohol use and alcohol-related sex expectancies as predictors of risky sex among african american female college drinkers.
African American college women are experiencing sex-related negative consequences at alarming rates. Alcohol use and alcohol-related sex expectancies are predictors of risky sexual behavior among college women; however, African American college women are often underrepresented in empirical studies. The purpose of the present study was to examine the link between alcohol-related sex expectancies (i.e., enhancement, sexual risk taking, and disinhibition expectancies), alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior among a sample of 222 sexually active African American female college drinkers. Participants completed measures assessing alcohol-related sex expectancies, typical weekly drinking, harmful alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior. Results indicated that combined sexual risk taking and disinhibition alcohol-related sex expectancies predicted both typical weekly drinking and harmful alcohol use. In addition, enhancement alcohol-related sex expectancies and harmful alcohol use predicted risky sexual behavior; however, typical weekly drinking did not. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
a The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi.
Danielle P
DP
Cottonham
a The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi.
Michael B
MB
Madson
a The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi.
Bonnie C
BC
Nicholson
a The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi.
Richard S
RS
Mohn
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D000067292:Alcohol Drinking in College / Q000208:ethnology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
African American college women; alcohol use; alcohol-related sex expectancies; risky sexual behavior