Black females are disproportionately affected by HIV/STIs, though individual-level sexual risk factors do not appear to explain racial/ethnic HIV incidence rate disparities. The current study examined the roles of attachment representations, working models of self and others, with psychosocial risk factors related to population-level sexual network features in association with risky sexual behaviors. A total of 560 Black emerging adult females (M age= 20.58, SD = 1.89) enrolling in a behavioral HIV prevention intervention trial completed the baseline assessment used in the current analyses. A series of multiple mediator models examined indirect effects of working models of self and others on sexual risk engagement through the following psychosocial HIV/STI risk factor: (a) partner communication self-efficacy, (b) fear of condom negotiation, (c) peer norms for risky sexual behavior, (d) partner trust, and (e) sex-related alcohol expectancies. Results indicated indirect effects of working model of self on: condom use with boyfriend/main partner through peer norms for risky sex (ab = .08 ,95% CI [.02, .17]); any alcohol use prior to sex through peer norms for risky sex (ab = -.06, 95% CI [-.12, -.02]); and alcohol use prior to sex through sex-related alcohol expectancies (ab = -.13, 95% CI [-.21, -.05]). Findings indicated direct associations between working model of self and all the psychosocial HIV/STI risk factors included in the mediation models. Working model of self may help identify Black females elevated risk for HIV/STI through these psychosocial risk factors.
Keyphrases
- men who have sex with men
- hiv testing
- risk factors
- hiv positive
- mental health
- antiretroviral therapy
- hiv infected
- human immunodeficiency virus
- hepatitis c virus
- hiv aids
- randomized controlled trial
- clinical trial
- south africa
- type diabetes
- study protocol
- social media
- working memory
- insulin resistance
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- phase ii
- drug induced