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

描述（由申请人提供）：在美国，性传播感染（STIs）对青少年的影响不成比例，尤其是非洲裔美国人[CDC，STD Surveillance，2005]。性风险行为并不能单独解释其风险增加的程度[Ellen et al.，1998]，导致研究人员探索其他解释，如合作伙伴的选择模式。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，但因性别和种族而异。例如，与同龄人相比，非洲裔美国男性青年更有可能同时拥有性伴侣[CDC，YRBS，2004]，非洲裔美国女性青年更有可能拥有被监禁的伴侣[Mertz，2002; Pack，2000; Oh，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。性伴侣选择的理论，可以提出，以告知我们的讨论还没有开发与贫困青年的颜色。这项拟议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，这些因素导致非洲裔美国青年的性传播感染率较高。具体来说，我们有兴趣在城市样本的青年研究性别角色的信念和他们的性伴侣的选择和风险行为之间的关联。性别角色信念是文化约束的信念和对男性和女性的期望，决定了独特和具体的性别行为。通过人口统计学上的代表性样本的15-24奥尔兹的巴尔的摩，MD，研究的目的是：1。确定性别角色信念（超男性化，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介导种族/民族和SES对性伴侣选择模式和危险性行为的影响; 3.定性探讨性别角色信念和性行为之间的15-24岁的女性在巴尔的摩，MD。为了达到研究目的，我们将对马里兰州巴尔的摩市15-24奥尔兹进行随机抽样横断面调查（N=480）和深入访谈（N=40）。这项研究是第一个以社区为基础的研究性别角色的信念和合作伙伴的选择模式之间的经济和种族多样化的样本男性和女性青年。 公共卫生相关性：这项拟议中的研究旨在研究马里兰州的巴尔的摩的15-24奥尔兹的社区为基础的，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人群中艾滋病毒和性传播感染风险较高的性风险行为机制的理解。

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.