Perceived Caregiver Support and Sexual Partner Communication Mediators of Condom Use Among African American Female Adolescents Open Access

Abstract

Background: Perceptions of caregiver warmth and support are consistently associated with reduced adolescent sexual risk behavior. Although sexual communication and negotiation with partners are well-established mediators of condom use among adolescents, few studies have examined if perceived caregiver support is related to sexual partner communication.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine associations between perceived caregiver support and sexual partner communication mediators of condom use among African American female adolescents, who are at disproportionate risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Methods: Baseline data were collected from 701 African American female adolescents aged 14-20 years participating in an HIV/STI prevention trial. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between perceived caregiver support and sexual partner communication frequency and self-efficacy, fear of condom negotiation and refusal self-efficacy. Adjusted models controlled for participant age.

Results: Due to non-normal distributions, all outcomes were dichotomized, with scores above the median categorized as "high" and scores at or below the median categorized as "low." Greater perceived caregiver support was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of being categorized as having high partner communication frequency (AOR=1.04; 95%CI=1.02, 1.06), partner communication self-efficacy (AOR=1.02; 95%CI=1.01, 1.04), and refusal self-efficacy (AOR=1.02; 95%CI=1.00, 1.04) and a reduced likelihood of being categorized as having high fear of condom negotiation (AOR=.95; 95%CI=.94, .97).

Conclusions: Greater perceived caregiver support was associated with sexual partner communication mediators of condom use among African American female adolescents. Family interventions aimed at increasing perceived caregiver support may offer benefits for HIV/STI prevention for this vulnerable population.

Table of Contents

Chapter I: Background and Significance...1

Purpose & Research Question...5

Theoretical Framework...6

Chapter II: Literature Review...9

Partner Communication...9

Caregiver Support...12

Chapter III: Methodology...17

Participants...17

Procedures...18

Measures...19

Background Demographics...19

Hypothesized Predictor Variable...20

Hypothesized Behavioral Outcome Variables...21

Data Analytic Plan...23

Chapter IV: Results...24

Background Demographics...24

Descriptive Statistics of Variables...25

Logistic Analyses...26

Chapter V: Discussion...29

Limitations...31

Conclusions, Implications and Recommendations...31

References...32

List of Tables

Table 1. Descriptive Statistics of Variables...26

Table 2. High/Low Median Split of Variables...26

Table 3. Associations of Caregiver Support and Partner Communication...28

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Adolescent African American Condom use Caregiver Support
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Diclemente, Ralph Joseph, Emory University
Committee Members	Sales, Jessica, Emory University Swartzendruber, Andrea Linn, Emory University

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