Shades of prejudice : the moderating role of skin tone and gender in the link between racial discrimnination and sexual risk-taking among African American young adults
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Meeting name
Sponsors
Date
Journal Title
Format
Thesis
Subject
Abstract
[EMBARGOED UNTIL 12/01/2025] Racial discrimination is a pervasive social issue affecting various domains of life, including sexual behavior. The prospective study explores the relationship between experiences of racial discrimination and risky sexual behaviors in a sample of 572 African American young adults. Data on experiences of racial discrimination during adolescence were analyzed to predict engagement in risky sexual behaviors during young adulthood. The primary outcome variables included inconsistent condom use, engagement in sexual activity with someone suspected of having HIV, drug/alcohol consumption before sexual engagement, prior STI diagnoses, overall sexual partner count, and number of sexual partners during the past three months. Findings revealed that experiences of racial discrimination significantly predicted overall sexual partner count and the number of sexual partners in the past three months. Skin tone significantly predicted overall sexual partner count when racial discrimination and gender were included in the model. Gender significantly predicted inconsistent condom use, prior STI diagnosis, and when all factors were included, engagement in sexual activity with someone suspected of having HIV, and overall sexual partner count. Significant interaction effects included racial discrimination and gender on sexual engagement with a suspected HIV-positive partner; racial discrimination and skin tone on overall sexual partner count; racial discrimination and gender on the number of sexual partners in the past three months; skin tone and gender on overall sexual partner count; and the three-way interaction predicting overall sexual partner count. This study highlights the intersection between racial discrimination and sexual health, underscoring the importance of addressing discrimination as a social determinant of sexual risk behaviors. Public health interventions should consider these impacts, and future research should explore mechanisms underlying these relationships and potential protective factors.
Table of Contents
DOI
PubMed ID
Degree
M.S.