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Self-silencing and age as risk factors for sexually acquired HIV in midlife and older women

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: This study explores the contribution of psychosocial factors on sex behaviors of midlife and older women. Methods: A community-based sample of ethnically diverse women (N = 572) between the ages of 50 and 93 completed standardized measures of self-silencing, self-esteem, sensation-seeking behavior, HIV-related stigma behavior, sexual assertiveness, and safer sex behaviors. Results : Results from the regression analysis indicated the model significantly predicted safer sex behaviors (p <.001), with self-silencing (β = -.115, p <.05) and age (β =.173, p <.001) as significant predictors. Bivariate correlation analysis indicated an inverse correlation between HIV stigma (p <.05) and safer sex behaviors. Discussion: Implications for further study and practice are discussed to include considerations for development of age- and gender-appropriate prevention interventions assisting women with interpersonal processes combined with skills for active involvement in addressing high-risk sex behaviors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)102-128
Number of pages27
JournalJournal of Aging and Health
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2009

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

Keywords

  • Age
  • HIV risk factors
  • HIV stigma
  • Older women
  • Safer sex behaviors
  • Self-silencing

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