Behavioral Predictors of Intended Sexual Behavior Among a Sample of African American Undergraduates

Abstract

The research reported herein tested the prediction of intended sexual behavior among a sample of African American college students.from self-reported past sexual behavior, selecteddemographic attributes, and sociobehavioral variables. This study is guided by the hypothesis that selected demographic and sociocognitive variables, in addition to past sexual behavior, can predict intended sexual behavior over an ensuing 12-month period. Demographic variables included gender, age, and whetherparticipants had been treatedfor a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Sociocognitive variables included prevention practices, stigma associated with HIVIAIDS, social distance, repressive attitudes, perceived susceptibility, barriers to risk reduction, and knowledge. Questionnaires were collected from 1,593 students. Intended sexual behavior yielded a regression coefficient of .59. The results provide considerable support for gender, sexual practices, and past sexual behavior in the past 12 months as being viable predictors of intended sexual behaviors among this sample.