Gender Norms and Partner Selection: HIV/STI Risk Among urban Youth

描述(申请人提供)：在美国，性传播感染(STI)对青少年的影响不成比例，特别是非裔美国人[CDC，STD监测，2005]。性危险行为不能单独解释他们增加风险的程度[Ellen等人，1998]，导致调查人员探索其他解释，如伴侣选择模式。许多研究发现，某些性伴侣特征，更广泛地称为性混合模式，与性传播感染有关，并因性别和种族而有所不同。例如，与他们的同龄人相比，非裔美国男性青年更有可能同时有性伴侣[CDC，YRBS，2004]，非裔美国女性青年更有可能有被监禁的伴侣[Mertz，2002；Pack，2000；哦，1994]。我们目前对性伴侣选择的社会文化决定因素的理解是有限的。可以用来指导我们讨论的性伴侣选择理论，并没有在考虑到贫困的有色人种青年的情况下发展起来。这项拟议的研究的目标是确定社会经济地位和个人性行为以外的因素，特别是社会背景，这些因素导致非裔美国青年的高性病感染率。具体地说，我们感兴趣的是检查性别角色信念及其与城市青年样本中的性伴侣选择和危险行为的关联。性别角色信仰是对男性和女性的文化约束的信仰和期望，决定了独特和具体的性别行为。通过马里兰州巴尔的摩15-24岁的人口统计学代表性样本，该研究旨在：1.确定性别角色信念(超男子气、超女性化、关系中的权力分配)、性伴侣选择模式和危险性行为是否因年龄、性别、种族/民族和SES而异；2.确定性别角色信念是否在种族/民族和SES对性伙伴选择模式和危险性行为的影响中起中介作用；3.定性地探索马里兰州巴尔的摩15-24岁女性的性别角色信念和性行为。为了达到研究目的，我们将对马里兰州巴尔的摩市的15-24岁青少年进行随机抽样的横断面调查(N=480)和深度访谈(N=40)。这项研究是对经济和种族不同的男女青年样本中的性别角色信仰和伴侣选择模式进行的首批社区研究之一。 公共卫生相关性：这项拟议的研究旨在调查马里兰州巴尔的摩15-24岁、以社区为基础、经济和种族多样化的样本中的性别角色信念和伴侣选择模式。这项研究将加强我们对这一艾滋病毒和性传播感染高危人群的性危险行为机制的理解。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In the U.S., sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect adolescents, especially African Americans [CDC, STD Surveillance, 2005]. Sexual risk behaviors do not solely explain the magnitude of their increased risk [Ellen el al., 1998], leading investigators to explore other explanations such as partner selection patterns. Numerous studies have found that certain sexual partner characteristics, more broadly referred to as sexual mixing patterns, are associated with STIs, with differences by gender and ethnicity. For example, compared to their peers, African American male youth more likely to have concurrent sex partners [CDC, YRBS, 2004] and African American female youth are more likely to have partners who have been incarcerated [Mertz, 2002; Pack, 2000; Oh, 1994]. Our current understanding of the socio-cultural determinants of sex partner selection is limited. Theories of sexual partner selection that could be proposed to inform our discussion have not been developed with impoverished youth of color in mind. The goal of the proposed study is to identify factors beyond socioeconomic status and individual sexual behaviors, particularly social contexts, which contribute to high rates of STIs in African American youth. Specifically, we are interested in examining gender role beliefs and their association with sexual partner selection and risk behaviors among an urban sample of youth. Gender role beliefs are culturally-bound beliefs and expectations about men and women that dictate unique and specific gendered behaviors. Through a demographically representative sample of 15-24 year olds in Baltimore, MD, the study aims to: 1. determine if gender role beliefs (hypermasculinity, hyperfemininity, power distribution in relationships), sexual partner selection patterns, and risky sexual behaviors vary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and SES; 2. determine whether gender role beliefs mediate the effects of race/ethnicity and SES on sexual partner selection patterns and risky sexual behaviors; and 3. qualitatively explore gender role beliefs and sexual behaviors among 15-24 year old females in Baltimore, MD. To meet the study aims, we will conduct a random-sample cross-sectional survey (N=480) and in-depth interviews (N=40) of 15-24 year olds across Baltimore City, Maryland. The study is one of the first community-based studies of gender role beliefs and partner selection patterns among an economically and racially diverse sample of male and female youth. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed study aims to examine gender role beliefs and partner selection patterns among a community-based, economic and racially diverse sample of 15-24 year olds in Baltimore, Maryland. The study will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of sexual risk behaviors among this population at a heightened risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections.