Safer Sex and the Health Belief Model

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to build on the Health Belief Model (HBM) by adding predictors of late adolescent safer sex behavior: perceptions of peer norms for sexual behavior, and sexual attitudes that emerge from socialization. Sexually active, late adolescent college students (N = 154, 62.3% female; mean age 20.8 years, 76% European American) participated in the study. Predictors from the original HBM included perceived vulnerability, condom use self-efficacy, and attitudes about condoms. In addition, peer norms for condom use and sexual behavior, general sexual attitudes, and endorsement of the sexual double standard were included as predictors of safer sex behavior. Attitudes about condoms, perceived vulnerability, condom use self-efficacy, and the sexual double standard emerged as significant correlates of condom use. General sexual attitudes and the sexual double standard were significantly correlated with alcohol use before or during sex. With the addition of these variables, the regression models accounted for 28% of the variance in condom use, and 14% of the variance in alcohol use before or during sex.     

Safer Sex in Later Life: Qualitative Interviews With Older Australians on Their Understandings and Practices of Safer Sex

Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing in older cohorts in Western countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, suggesting a need to examine the safer sex knowledge and practices of older people. This article presents findings from 53 qualitative interviews from the study Sex, Age, and Me: A National Study of Sex and Relationships Among Australians Aged 60+. Participants were recruited through an online national survey. We consider how participants understood “safer sex,” the importance of safer sex to them, the safer sex practices they used (and the contexts in which they used them), and the barriers to using safer sex. Older adults had diverse understandings, knowledge, and use of safer sex practices, although participants tended to focus most strongly on condom use. Having safer sex was strongly mediated by relationship context, trust, perceived risk of contracting an STI, concern for personal health, and stigma. Common barriers to safer sex included erectile difficulties, embarrassment, stigma, reduced pleasure, and the lack of a safer sex culture among older people. The data presented have important implications for sexual health policy, practice, and education and health promotion campaigns aimed at improving the sexual health and well-being of older cohorts.     

Encouraging Safer Sex: Mediating and Moderating Effects on Condom Use Among Italian Girls

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The present study investigated the effects of condom availability, peer norms, and negotiation self-efficacy on girls’ perception of male condom use. Methods: Participants were presented with a vignette in which condom availability, peer norms, and negotiation self-efficacy were manipulated. Results: Condom availability and peer norms interacted in determining condom use, such that protected sex was more likely when a condom was available and when peer norms approved, rather than disapproved, of condom use. The effect of peer norms on condom use was mediated by intentions to use a condom and communication between partners about condom use. Condom communication, identified as a direct antecedent of condom use, was influenced by negotiation self-efficacy. Conclusions: These results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing risky sexual behavior should not only make condoms available but also address key psychosocial variables, such as peer norms. Condom communication should be taken into account as well, considering that it can be affected directly by negotiation self-efficacy and can be affected indirectly by peer norms.     

Predictors of Safer Sex on the College Campus: A Social Cognitive Theory Analysis

Abstract

In April and May 1989, the authors surveyed a sample of students enrolled on four college campuses in New Jersey (N ? 923) concerning their HIV transmission-related behavior, knowledge, and a variety of conceptual variables taken primarily from social cognitive theory that were thought to be potentially predictive of safer sexual behavior. Analyses of sexually active, unmarried students' responses indicated that men expected more negative outcomes of condom use and were more likely to have sexual intercourse while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, whereas women reported higher perceived self-efficacy to practice safer sex. Regression analyses indicated that, among the factors assessed, stronger perceptions of self-efficacy to engage in safer behavior, expecting fewer negative outcomes of condom use, and less frequency of sex in conjuction with alcohol or other drug use significantly predicted safer sexual behavior. Enhanced self-efficacy to discuss personal history with a new partner was associated with a greater number of risky encounters. Implications of these findings for intervention efforts with students are discussed.     

Using Masturbation in Sex Therapy

Abstract

Masturbation may be useful in treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder. To examine this possibility, the current study examined the relationships between masturbation, sexual desire, sexual fantasy, and dyadic sexual activity. The relationships between masturbation and other constructs were also examined: overall sexual dysfunction, relationship satisfaction, life stress, and sexual attitudes. Mediational analyses suggest several causal pathways between masturbatory desire, masturbatory frequency, sexual fantasy, sexual desire, and sexual activity. Developing a model of masturbation may help illustrate its role in sexual functioning and highlight its potential role in sex therapy.     

“新职族”361行行行精彩

新职业被称之为“361行”。行行出状元，活跃在“361行”的“新职族”是如何看待新职业的?他们的从业感受如何？如何才能人职新职业?新职业的职业前景如何?就这些问题，记者日前采访了部分“新职族”。他们告诉记者，一不小心成了“新职族”，但行行出状元，“361行”里有精彩，他们喜欢自己的职业。     

Fear

Qualitative Sociology -     

Untangling Fear of Crime: A Multi-theoretical Approach to Examining the Causes of Crime-Specific Fear

Fear of crime has been a major research topic over the past several decades. However, multiple explanations have been proposed and no comprehensive theoretical model exists. In this study, we assess the predictive power of three theoretical models—vulnerability, disorder, and social integration—on offense type-specific, emotionally-based fear of violent and property crime. Results suggest that the predictors of fear of property and violent crime vary, and some theoretical models are a better explanation of one type of fear than the other. Overall, the models are a better fit with fear of violent crime than fear of property crime. The vulnerability model is more strongly related to fear of property crime, while the social integration model is more strongly related to fear of violent crime. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.     

Establishing a Group to Encourage Writing for Publication among Doctoral Students

Abstract

Research Notes, a new feature of the Journal, presents short reports of current research in social work education. Each report presents a synopsis of the purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions of the study.

The authors describe the establishment of a group that encourages doctoral students to write for publication while focusing on the quality of their written work. They detail the steps taken in starting the group, describe the group's internal review process, share results of an evaluation of the group's first year, and discuss implications for other social work programs wishing to nurture publication productivity.     

借亚运"东风":艺术与竞技相结合发扬平民运动

端午节赛龙舟是我国的民间传统习俗,在珠三角一带,这一传统文化不仅源远流长,更需不断推陈出新,例如"龙舟说唱"等艺术都是这一带特有的.推广龙舟,目前要做的就是将艺术与竞技相结合,大力发展这项平民运动.     

Willingness to Have Unprotected Sex

Little is known about people's willingness to engage in sex without protection from unwanted pregnancy. This study surveyed 1,497 women and men at 75 clinics and physician offices across California after their reproductive health care visits in late 2007 and early 2008. When asked if they would have sex without contraception, 30% said definitively that yes, they would have unprotected sex, and 20% indicated they would “sometimes” or “maybe” engage in unprotected sex. In multivariate models, compared to non-Latino White respondents, Latinos who responded to the survey in English were 52% more likely and African Americans were 75% more likely to report willingness to have unprotected intercourse. Wanting a child within the next three years was associated with increased willingness to have unprotected sex. Age, gender, parity, and relationship status were not significant in multivariate models. A considerable proportion of women and men may be willing to have unprotected sex, even with access to subsidized contraceptive services and even when recently counseled about birth control. The dominant behavioral models of contraceptive use need to acknowledge the widespread likelihood of occasional unprotected sex, even among people motivated to usually use contraceptives. Findings underscore the need to make contraceptive methods accessible, easy to use, and even pleasurable.