Psychosocial Factors that Impact Sexual Behaviors in Heterosexual African American Undergraduate College Women
Abstract
African American women are disproportionally impacted by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and unplanned pregnancies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011) when compared to women from other racial/ethnic groups in the US. Using Myers’s (2009) lifespan biopsychosocial model of cumulative vulnerability and minority health, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among socioeconomic status (SES)/social class, psychosocial adversities (i.e., racism and microaggressions), psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression), sexual risk behaviors, and bicultural self-efficacy in African American undergraduate college women. The following hypotheses were tested: (a) SES/social class will be negatively associated with psychosocial adversities (i.e., racism and microaggressions); (b) psychosocial adversities (i.e., racism and microaggressions) will be positively associated with psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression); (c) psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression) will be positively associated with sexual risk behaviors; and (d) bicultural self-efficacy will moderate the relationship between psychosocial adversities (i.e., racism and microaggressions) and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression). One hundred and fifteen heterosexual African American undergraduate college women completed an online survey. The survey was distributed at several universities in the US and using snowballing techniques. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), results revealed that: (a) SES/social class was negatively associated with psychosocial adversities (i.e., racism and microaggressions); (b) psychosocial adversities (i.e., racism and microaggressions) was positively associated with psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression); and (c) psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression) was positively associated with sexual risk behaviors. Using hierarchical multiple regression, the results revealed that bicultural self-efficacy moderated the relationship between microaggressions and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression), but not the relationship between racism and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression). Limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are presented. Implications for counseling practice and advocacy with African American heterosexual undergraduate college women are also discussed.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Ciftci, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Counseling Psychology|Psychology
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