Abstract
The study objective was to examine the associations between cultural values and sexual risk factors among Latino youth. A sample of 226 Latino adolescents ages 13–16 completed a survey on cultural and sexual variables. Results indicate higher levels of Latino cultural orientation were related to greater sexual self-efficacy and fewer sexual partners for female adolescents and greater condom use self-efficacy for both males and females. Greater endorsement of simpatia (belief in interpersonal relationship harmony) was associated with sexual abstinence and greater sexual self-efficacy for all adolescents, and with being older at sexual debut for females. Stronger endorsement of respeto (respect towards parents and other authority figures) was correlated with a lower intention to have sex during secondary school and greater condom use self-efficacy. American cultural orientation was associated with less condom use. Our findings indicate Latino cultural values may serve as protective factors against sexual risk behaviors among Latino youth.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1215-1225 |
| Journal | Journal of Adolescence |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2014 |
Funding
Funding for this study was provided by a Nova Southeastern University President's Faculty Research and Development Grant. The authors would like to thank Juan Carlos Sanchez, Lissette Cortes, Brett Simpson, Christina Allen, and Danille Wright for their work on data collection. We are grateful to the following community leaders for their assistance with participant recruitment: William Sanchez and Jeorge Vega from the City of Hialeah Parks and Recreation and Early Prevention/Intervention Program, Sharon Dziedzic from the City of Hialeah Young Leaders with Character Program, Lilah Ross from Masters Preparatory School, and Julia Hidalgo from John F. Kennedy Library.