Religiosity, ethnic identity, and risky sexual behavior in an African American church-affiliated population
Abstract
African Americans are disproportionately burdened by sexually transmitted infections
and human immunodeficiency virus in the US. The current study examined relationships
between demographics, religiosity, ethnic identity, and sexual risk behaviors among 202
sexually active African American church-affiliated participants (mean age = 25; 69%
female). Participants were fairly religious as evidenced by their reports of weekly
engagement of scripture reading and daily engagement in thoughts of God and prayer.
Participants spent quite a bit to a great deal of time utilizing positive religious coping and
little to no time utilizing negative religious coping. In addition, participant's God control
beliefs moderately influenced their choices related to engagement in sex. Participants
reported moderate levels of ethnic identity exploration and commitment. On average,
participants reported 10 lifetime sex partners and two within the past six months. Age was
significantly predictive of lifetime sexual checklist factors (i.e., having sex while high on
drugs or alcohol, being a victim of domestic violence, having sex with someone who has
been in the correctional system) and previous six month and lifetime sex-only factors (i.e.,
number of sex partners, condom use). None of the primary study predictors (i.e., religious
beliefs and behaviors, religious coping, God control beliefs, ethnic identity) were
significantly associated with risky sexual behaviors.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Scope of the problem -- Sexual risk behaviors among African American adults -- Review of religiosity literature -- Review of ethnic identity literature -- Methodology -- Analysis plan -- Results -- Discussion -- Appendix
Degree
Ph.D.