Effects of Self-Esteem on Risky Sexual Behaviors

Among African Americans and Other Adolescent

Females
Jasmine Cross
Ronald E. McNair Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Clifford Broman
College of Social Science
ntroduction
Adolescents are at high risk for negative consequences related to
sexual risk taking.
70 % of black adolescents are having sex.
Highest rate of H' among 13-19 group = African American (girls)
African American girls H' rates are increasing, while other females
are decreasing.
Adolescent females have the highest rate of self-esteem issues
(Kling, Hyde, Shower, & Buswell, 1999).
(Aggleton, 1995; Department of Health and Human Services, 1990, 1997; Kegeles, Adler, & rwin, 1989).
CDC, 2003
!urpose
To determine if self esteem is an important cause of risky sexual
behaviors.
An important research question that follows is 'Should we focus on
self-esteem to prevent risky behaviors?'
Research on this issue is important in efforts to decrease teen
pregnancy, STD & H' rate.
Key Factors n Self Esteem
Body mage
Appearance is key factor for adolescent females.
Family & !eers
Attractiveness
!ositive effects
Teacher student
Acceptance
(Ricciardelli & McCabe, 2001a; Ricciardelli & McCabe, 2001b).
Risky Sexual Behaviors
Unsafe behaviors that increase the risk of contracting a Sexually
Transmitted Disease or H'ADS. (Murphy et al., 1998)
Ever having Sex
Number of !artners
Sexual transmitted disease rate
(Murphy 09,, 1998). ( CDC, 2003)
SelfesLeem SelfesLeem
8lsky sexual
behavlors
8lsky sexual
behavlors
ill self-esteem be a predictor of risky sexual behaviors?
Low self-esteem will increase the amount of risky sexual behaviors
that adolescent females engage in.
ill race be a predictor in risky sexual behaviors?
8ace
LLhnlclLy
8lsky
Sexual
8ehavlors
Adolescents who are African American will have a higher
rate of engaging in risky sexual behaviors.
ill low self-esteem level among African American
adolescent females be a predictor of risky sexual
behaviors?
ow Self
LsLeem
Afrlcan
Amerlcan
8lsky Sexual
8ehavlors
Low Self-Esteem will increase the amount of risky sexual
behaviors that African American Adolescents engage in.
Literature Review
Self Esteem
83% of studies from a large-scale meta-analysis indicated low
self esteem in females compared to male adolescents
Body mage, attractiveness and acceptance are key factors
Self Esteem and Risky Sexual Behaviors
Developing positive or negative sense of self will affect sexual
decision making
Low self-esteem levels are related to risky sexual behaviors
The need to be accepted increases partners
Using condoms are more challenging for females
Not confident
Self conscious
Feels the void of being wanted
( Lejuez, Simmons, Aklin, Daughters, & Dvir, 2004; Magnani, Seiber, Gutierrez, & 'ereau, 2001;
!reston et al., 2004; ild, Flisher, Bhana, & Lombard, 2004)
Race and Risky Sexual Behaviors
African Americans sexual debut age is 13 compared to national 16.
African Americans make up 20% of US population, but 55% of
reported ADS cases through 2003.
n contrast, hites and non- Hispanics make up 69% of the
population, yet the percentage of total number of reported
incidences dropped from 35% in 1996 to 32% in 2003.
Robinson et al, 2006
Methods
Secondary Analysis
National longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health
Random sample
Adolescents 13-18
Black; Hispanic & hites (Control groups)
hite (n= 1893)
Black (n= 819)
Hispanic ( n= 389)
School and home survey of adolescents grades 7-12 and follow
up into young adulthood.
www.cpc.unc.eduaddhealth
Asked series of questions
Results
Race !redicting Risky Sexual Behaviors
Self-Esteem !redicting Risky Sexual Behaviors
Results of Major Hypothesis
African American adolescent females did engage in more risky
sexual behavior
Low self esteem predicted risky sexual behavior
But low self-esteem was 349 found to be a significant cause of
African American adolescent female's risky sexual behaviors
Discussion
mplications
Not only higher rates of H' but all measured risky sexual
behaviors
Low self-esteem levels is significant in risky sexual behaviors
hen analyzing African Americans specifically, this study was
not able to show and significance.
Conclusion
Limitations
Self reported
Condom use was poorly measured; could not use
How would do it different
nclude Chronic Stressor (!overty, economic hardships,
Neighborhood disadvantages)
Add risky sexual behavior variables (paid for sex).
!olicy
Self-esteem programs are important in decreasing overall rates
of risky sexual behavior
African American based programs
(McMahon, S.d, Felin. E.D., Nagarajan, T. 2010).
Acknowledgements
would first like to thank Dr. Ronald E. McNair for blessing me with this
opportunity. would like to give thanks my mentor Dr. Clifford
Broman, Angela Nurse, the McNair staff and my wonderful cohort.
And a special thanks to my family.
"uestion????
Crossja3@msu.edu