Suchergebnisse

The positive youth development model was explored on a sample of 378 rural African American males to determine its usefulness in predicting HIV‐related risk behaviors. Confidence in ability to self‐regulate and sense of competence to be successful in the future were associated with having caring, involved, vigilant parents. Confident, competent males were more likely to connect with prosocial peers, which in turn provided opportunities to reinforce norms and values to dissuade and avoid engaging in risky behaviors. Growth mixture modeling results identified two subgroups with distinct developmental trajectories of risky behaviors. Group differences were associated with several components of positive youth development. Implications for future research and preventive interventions are discussed.

Sexually transmitted infections disproportionately affect African Americans, particularly young women. The influence of a set of interrelated protective parenting processes—instrumental and emotional support, sexual risk communication, and encouragement of goals for employment or education—on emerging adult women was examined. Parenting was hypothesized to affect consistent condom use through its association with women's reports of power equity in their intimate relationships. Hypotheses were tested with 135 sexually active women 18 to 21 years of age living in rural southern communities. Structural equation modeling indicated that (a) parenting processes predicted women's self‐reported relationship power equity and consistent condom use and (b) relationship power equity predicted consistent condom use. Limited support emerged for a mediational role of relationship power equity in explaining the influence of parenting on consistent condom use. Parental involvement and young women's establishment of personal control in their intimate relationships are important goals for sexual risk reduction programs.