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Identifying Precursors of Safer‐Sex Practices in Mexican Adolescents With and Without Sexual Experience: An Exploratory Model 1
Author(s) -
Givaudan Martha,
Vijver Fons J. R.,
Poortinga Ype H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2005.tb02161.x
Subject(s) - psychology , condom , safer sex , safer , social psychology , structural equation modeling , antecedent (behavioral psychology) , intervention (counseling) , developmental psychology , exploratory research , path analysis (statistics) , theory of planned behavior , relevance (law) , sexual behavior , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , control (management) , medicine , computer security , mathematics , family medicine , psychiatry , anthropology , law , sociology , computer science , management , syphilis , political science , statistics , economics
Theoretical variables were examined for their empirical relevance as precursors of safer‐sex behavior in 2,011 Mexican adolescents, most of whom were not sexually experienced. Using structural equation modeling, a good fit was found for a path model with (a) partner communication and intention to use condoms as outcome variables; (b) self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, and decision making as antecedent variables; and (c) perceived norms about sexual practices, attitudes toward condom use, and knowledge of HIV as mediating variables. A good fit also was found for a slightly elaborated model involving condom use as outcome variable that was fitted in a subsample with 319 adolescents who reported sexual experience. Gender differences are discussed, as well as implications for intervention programs promoting safer‐sex behaviors.