Longitudinal Test of a Multiple Domain Model of Adolescent Condom Use

A comprehensive multiple domain model (MDM) to understand condom use in adolescents was proposed and tested using structural equation modeling of data at three time points. The proposed model integrates social psychological theory, demographic and personality factors, social environment, and situational/contextual variables. Adolescents who were sexually active at time 2 (6 months after baseline) and time 3 (1 year after time 2) and completed surveys at all three time points were included in the analyses (N = 511). An iterative process of model testing resulted in a structural equation model that provided a good fit to the data (CFI = .92, RMSEA = .04). Models comparing gender and race as moderators also were calculated and supported the generalizability of the model. Results provide support for an MDM that goes beyond traditional social psychological models for a broader understanding of condom use in adolescents. Implications for further theory testing and safer sexual interventions are discussed.     

Explaining Condom Use Disparity Among Black and Hispanic Female Adolescents

The study examined condom use among 204 Black and Hispanic female adolescents who attended family planning clinics. Partner attitude, partner communication, parental communication and social support measures were used in a multinomial logistic regression model to predict condom use at last intercourse. The results indicated that adolescents who perceived that their partners had a positive attitude toward condom use were 1.37 times more likely to report condom use compared to those whose partners did not have a positive attitude. Additionally, adolescents who reported communicating with partners about condoms were .37 times more likely to use condoms compared to those who did not communicate with their partners. These findings suggest that increasing condom use among female adolescents will require addressing primarily partner factors. Male partners must also be included in interventions to increase condom use.     

Preparing for Male Condom Use: The Importance of Volitional Predictors

Objectives: Intention is not sufficient to actually use condoms, as self-regulatory processes are needed to translate motivation into action. This study has focused on the role of preparatory behaviors as a proximal predictor of condom use and examined how they contribute to the self-regulatory processes proposed by the health action process approach model. Methods: An on-screen longitudinal study was conducted with 3 measurement points 2 weeks apart. The participants were young men aged 18 to 25 years old (N = 203) recruited from vocational training centers. Outcome expectancies, perceived self-efficacy, intention, action planning, coping planning, volitional self-efficacy, preparatory behaviors, and condom use were assessed by self-report. A structural equation analysis was used to test a series of 3 nested models, with all parameters estimated by bootstrapping. Results: The model proposed that the included preparatory behaviors provided the best fit to the data. Preparatory behaviors were the most proximal predictors of condom use, and mediation occurred in a sequential manner with preparatory behaviors preceding the volitional variables, action and coping planning, and volitional self-efficacy. Conclusions: To bridge the intention–behavior gap, preparatory behaviors play a mediating role, demonstrating how they work in conjunction with other volitional variables such as planning and self-efficacy in the translation of behavioral intentions into actual condom use.     

Effects of psychological problems,emotional dysregulation,and self-esteem on problematic Internet use among Korean adolescents

The aim of this study was to examine the direct effects of psychological problems and emotional dysregulation and the mediating effect of self-esteem on problematic Internet use (PIU) among adolescents in South Korea. This study was conducted as a secondary analysis with the data from “The 2013 Validation Study of K-Scale as a Diagnostic Tool” by the Korean National Information Society Agency (N = 351). Our structural equation modeling analyses revealed that psychological problems and emotional dysregulation affected PIU by mediating low self-esteem; however, the direct effects of psychological problems and emotional dysregulation were not demonstrated. Thus, this study empirically verified that the cognitive-behavioral model of PIU provides a theoretical framework to describe the pathway to PIU among Korean adolescents. The results suggest that preventing and intervening for PIU should include effective strategies that improve self-esteem for adolescents.     

Psychosocial Correlates of Condom Use Intentions among Junior High School Students in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Ghana

ABSTRACT

Objectives: We explored sociodemographics, sexual experience, and psychosocial factors influencing condom use intentions of adolescents in Northern Ghana. Methods: Based on social cognitive theories and previous empirical studies investigating condom use, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,018 adolescents (M age = 15.8 years) in Bolgatanga, Ghana. Correlations and multinomial logistic regressions were performed. Results: Findings showed that attitudes toward condom availability, injunctive norms toward condom use, sex experience, perceived susceptibility towards STIs, and perceived behavioral control toward buying as well as using condoms differentiated between people with different levels of intentions to use condoms. Conclusions: Implications for intervention development are discussed.     

Condom Use Trajectories in Adolescence and the Transition to Adulthood: The Role of Mother and Father Support

Few studies have investigated how mother and father support differ on predicting youths' sexual risk behavior. We therefore examined the influence of parental support on condom use trajectories and its correlates in a predominantly African American sample [(N=627; 53% female; M = 14.86 years (SD=. 64)] from adolescence to young adulthood. We used hierarchical growth curve modeling to examine the relationship between condom use, substance use, psychological distress and parental support prospectively. We found that consistent condom use decreased over time and was associated negatively with psychological distress and substance use. Furthermore, both maternal and paternal support were associated with more condom use over time. We discuss the implications of our findings for HIV prevention programs.     

Stage-Based Computer-Delivered Interventions to Increase Condom Use in Young Men

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim is to examine whether adopting or increasing condom use can be influenced by psychological treatment targeting both motivational and volitional aspects, when these components are matched to the characteristics of the recipients. Method: In a randomized controlled trial, 159 heterosexual young men (intervention groups, n = 113; control condition, n = 46) were exposed to 2 computer-delivered intervention arms, 1 targeting nonintenders (n = 36; motivational intervention arm) and the other targeting intenders (n = 77; volitional intervention arm). Intention and condom use were assessed through self-report questions at 3 points in time, each 2 weeks apart. Motivational intervention involved screen content requesting decisional balance for condom use and focus on past success to trigger self-efficacy. Volitional intervention encouraged the formation of specific if-then plans, where participants were required to choose and write about the most favourable situations by means of reflection on when, where, and how to carry them out, and of thinking about strategies for obstacles that might hinder condom use. Results: Experimental nonintenders obtained higher levels of condom use intention two weeks and one month later and of reported condom use one month later than control nonintenders. Experimental intenders reported an increase in condom use in comparison with control intenders one month later. Conclusions: At a 30-day follow-up, treatment was shown to have helped nonintenders to first increase their condom use intentions and later condom use, and intenders to improve condom use behavior. A stage-based computer-delivered intervention design including motivational and volitional treatment appears to be suitable for improving condom use motivation as well as behavior after a 1-month period.     

Predictors of parenting among African American single mothers: Personal and contextual factors

Guided by family stress theory, relations among neighborhood stress, maternal psychological functioning, and parenting were examined among 123 low‐income, urban‐dwelling, African American single mothers. Using a longitudinal design, structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesis that neighborhood stress results in poorer parenting over time through its detrimental effect on maternal psychological functioning. Social support from family and friends was examined as a potential moderator of the association between neighborhood stress and parenting behavior. Results indicated that higher levels of neighborhood stress were related to greater psychological distress among mothers, which in turn, was significantly related to less engagement in positive parenting practices approximately 15 months later. A moderating effect emerged for social support, however, such that the proposed model provided a better fit for mothers reporting low levels of perceived social support than for mothers reporting high levels. Implications of the findings for prevention and intervention are discussed.     

Activities and social contact as antecedents to sleep onset time in U.S. adolescents

This study evaluated adolescents' evening patterns in activities, social contact, and location to better understand antecedents to adolescents' sleep onset time (SOT). The SOT is important for sleep duration and related health outcomes. Using a nationally representative sample of 15- to 18-year-old adolescents from the American Time Use Survey (N = 10,341; 47% female; 57% white), structural equation modeling demonstrated that late SOTs mediated links between evening activities, social contact, locations, and shorter sleep durations. Passive leisure, time in public locations, and time with friends late in the evenings were associated with later SOTs, whereas homework and active leisure did not. Parents and practitioners can use this information to carefully evaluate evening activities, social contact, and location to support healthy SOTs for adolescents across time.     

Triangulation and Theoretical Understanding

The more recent interpretation of triangulation in social and educational research was summarised and examined with reference to theory triangulation applied in an empirical study. The construction of special educational needs (SEN) from the individual experiences of a sample of SEN co‐ordinators and SEN teachers, parents, and adolescents with emotional and behavioural difficulties or physical disabilities were interpreted from the perspectives of personal construct theory, bio‐psycho‐social model, socio‐psychological analysis, bioecological model of human development and a developmental model of self‐understanding. Their points of convergence and divergence enriched and extended theoretical understanding. The focus on the ‘verstehen’ psychological level of analysis and on forging closer theory, concept and data connections influenced the range of theory choice. This instance of theory triangulation casts doubts on the Duhem‐Quine thesis of underdetermination.     

Risk Factors,Parental Communication,Self and Peers’ Beliefs as Predictors of Condom Use Among Female Adolescents Attending Family Planning Clinics

This study examined the impact of risk factors, self and peers’ beliefs, and parental communication on condom use among 290 female adolescents who attended family planning clinics. The major findings showed that in addition to risk factors, self and peer beliefs about condom use and parental communication about birth control predicted actual condom use. Implications for social workers about the importance of encouraging communication between adolescents and their parents are discussed.     

Individual and couple tastes for children: Theoretical,methodological, and empirical issues

A comparison is made between two alternatives for explaining family size decisions: a psychological model based on the individual needs of the spouses and a social psychological model based on the husband-wife relationship. By use of higher order factors within the context of structural equation models, it is shown that the two approaches can be derived as special cases of a single, integrative framework. In this way, a theory is developed and tested which explicitly represents the family-size decision process as both an individual and joint experience of the spouses.     

The Role of Attitude Functions,Efficacy, Anticipated Emotions,and Relationship Status on College Students' Condom Use Intentions

Conducted from the reasoned action perspective, previous research related to condom use generally included a limited number of variables and treated attitudes and self-efficacy as unidimensional constructs. Informed by attitude functions theory and health literature on condom use and anticipated emotions, this project aims to provide a more detailed understanding of college students' intentions to use condoms during sexual intercourse. Results show that relationship status moderated the relationships between several psychological variables and condom use intentions. For female college students negative anticipated emotions were a stronger predictor of condom use intentions for those in monogamous relationships for three months or longer than for those in other relationships or not in a relationship. On the other hand, subjective norms were a stronger predictor of intentions for those in other types of relationship or not in a relationship than for those in a monogamous relationship for three months or longer. For male participants, sexual sensation was a more important, negative predictor of condom use intentions among those in monogamous relationships for three months or longer (versus other relationship status or not in a relationship). Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Adolescent Psychological Well‐being,Radicalism, and Activism: The Mediating Role of Social Disconnectedness and the Illegitimacy of the Authorities

The identification of factors that counter youth’s radicalization while promoting democratic activism is a timely social issue. This paper examines the association of psychological well‐being (PWB) with violent radicalism and nonviolent activism, by focusing on the mediating role of both social disconnectedness (SD) and the perceived illegitimacy of the authorities (PIoA). Two mediation structural equation models (full vs. partial) were applied to data collected from 328 Italian adolescents (14–19 years). The results showed how SD and PIoA fully mediated the link of PWB with radicalism (negatively) and activism (positively). This model was further supported when compared with an alternative one proposing PWB as a mediator between SD and PIoA. The findings are discussed in light of the existing literature and provide potential implications for practice.     

The Impact of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use on Sexual Anxiety,Satisfaction, and Esteem Among Gay and Bisexual Men

Gay and bisexual men (GBM) with heightened fears of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition have reported high levels of sexual anxiety and low sexual self-esteem. Similarly, sexual satisfaction has been reported to be lower among some GBM who rely solely on condom use as HIV prevention. We sought to explore whether pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) had an impact on the sexual satisfaction, anxiety, and esteem of GBM. As part of a longitudinal cohort study of 1,071 GBM, participants reported at three time points on PrEP use and completed the Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSSCQ). A total of 137 GBM began taking PrEP in the 24 months following baseline. Comparing their responses during times before initiating PrEP and after, within adjusted multilevel models, there was a significant decrease in sexual anxiety (B = ?0.27, p = 0.03) but no significant changes in sexual esteem or satisfaction. Our findings indicate important psychological improvements resulting from PrEP initiation. Further research should explore the potential for other psychological benefits of PrEP use among GBM.     

The role of parenting and personal characteristics on deviant peer association among European American and Latino adolescents

This study examined both mothers’ and fathers’ parenting (positive and negative) and adolescents’ personal characteristics (religiosity, social initiative, aggression, depression) in relation to perceived deviant peer association for European American and Latino adolescents. Using structural equation modeling, adolescents’ reports of positive or negative mothering and fathering were found to be related to adolescents’ personal characteristics, and these characteristics were, in turn, related to perceived deviant peer association. Ethnic differences in means were found in both parenting and outcome variables, with European American adolescents reporting higher levels of positive parenting and social initiative, and lower levels of perceived deviant peer association than Latino adolescents. Despite these mean differences, no ethnic differences were found in the overall measurement or structural model, suggesting that this process functions similarly for these two ethnic groups.     

The Psychological Well‐Being of Unaccompanied Minors: A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents Immigrating From Russia and Ukraine to Israel Without Parents

This paper examines the psychological well‐being of high school adolescents immigrating from Russia and Ukraine to Israel without parents. Data were collected in a 3‐year longitudinal study that covered the premigration through postmigration periods. Immigrant adolescents were compared with nonemigrating adolescents in Russia and Ukraine. Psychological well‐being of immigrants was highest in the premigration period. During the process of immigration, general self‐esteem, body image, social competence, school competence, and loneliness followed a U‐curve: they declined in the 1st year after immigration and improved in the 3rd year after immigration. Emotional and behavioral problems of immigrants increased in the 1st year after immigration and did not change in subsequent years. At the end of the 3‐year period, self‐esteem exceeded the premigration level, emotional and behavioral problems and loneliness remained below the premigration level, while body image, social competence, and school competence returned to the premigration level. Throughout the entire immigration period, the psychological well‐being of immigrants was higher than that of nonemigrating adolescents. Premigration psychological well‐being as well as perceived social conditions in the host country (discrimination and social support) predicted postmigration psychological well‐being. The results obtained are discussed in light of the stress‐coping model of immigration and ecological systems theory.     

Developmental Patterns of Social Trust Between Early and Late Adolescence: Age and School Climate Effects

Social trust (i.e., belief that people are generally fair and trustworthy) is important to the functioning of democracies, and trend studies show it has declined. We test hypotheses concerning the development of these beliefs in adolescence. Based on surveys of 1,535 adolescents collected over 2 years, we find that middle and late adolescents had significantly lower levels of trust than early adolescents and that these beliefs became more stable and less related to interpersonal trust between early and late adolescence. Results of multiple group structural equation models revealed that, regardless of age, adolescents' reports that a strong sense of student solidarity characterized their school significantly increased social trust at T2, controlling for levels at T1, and opportunities to exchange perspectives with fellow students increased social trust at T2 indirectly, through feelings of student solidarity. The study points to the role of schools in nurturing the democratic dispositions of younger generations.     

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids and Condom Use: Potential Mechanisms in Adolescent Males

Previous research has revealed a significant bivariate relationship between anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use and reduced condom use among adolescent boys. However, to date, no known studies have explored the psychological mechanisms that may explain this relationship. Thus, the current study sought to examine two possible mediators in the association between AAS and condom use: depressive symptoms and substance use. Data were extracted from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents. Participants were 3,780 U.S. high school boys who responded to self-report items assessing a number of health behaviors, including symptoms of depression, substance use, AAS use, and use of condoms during their most recent act of intercourse. Both depression and substance use were significant mediators in the relationship between AAS and condom use. However, when these effects were contrasted, the indirect effect of substance use was significantly stronger in magnitude than the effect of depression. Although AAS use was associated with sexual risk behaviors among adolescent boys, significant variance in this relationship was accounted for by elevated levels of depression and substance use, with substance use demonstrating a particularly salient pathway.     

The intergenerational transmission of health-risk behaviors: adolescent lifestyles and gender moderating effects.

The present longitudinal study of 330 adolescents used structural equation models to investigate whether (1) health-risk lifestyles exist among adults and adolescents, (2) parents' health-risk behaviors influence adolescents' health-risk behaviors, and (3) intergenerational transmission occurs by way of a health-risk lifestyle, by direct transmission of specific behaviors, or through both mechanisms. To address these questions, we estimated several models. The findings were generally supportive of the expectations. Results of single factor measurement models provided modest evidence for the existence of an underlying health-risk lifestyle factor among parents and adolescents. Results of structural equation models also demonstrated that parents' health-risk behaviors were transmitted to adolescents both at the lifestyle factor level and the unique component level. These associations prevailed even after controlling for family social status. However, parents' health-risk lifestyles mediated the effect of family social status on adolescents' lifestyles, net of the direct effect of family social status on adolescents' lifestyle. In these two-parent families, the effects of parents' health-risk lifestyles on adolescents seems to have gender symmetry. The findings of the separate models for boys and girls demonstrated that (1) fathers' health-risk lifestyle affected only boys' health-risk lifestyle, whereas (2) mother's health-risk lifestyle affected only girls' health-risk lifestyle. A similar gender moderating effect was not found for specific health-risk behaviors. Implications of these findings for future research and theoretical development are discussed.