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Relationship Status, Psychological Orientation, and Sexual Risk Taking in a Heterosexual African American College Sample

Western Michigan University, evelyn.winfield{at}wmich.edu

Arthur L. Whaley

University of Texas at Austin

The present study examined relationship status, psychological orientation toward sexual risk taking, and other characteristics as potential correlates of risky sexual behavior in a sample of 223 heterosexual African American college students. Risky sexual behavior was investigated as a multinomial variable (i.e., abstinence, consistent condom use, inconsistent condom use, or noncondom use) to determine whether differentiation of levels of risky sexual behavior yielded meaningful psychological or demographic patterns. The hypotheses were (a) students who are in a long-term relationship are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, and (b) students who report inconsistent condom use differ from those who report noncondom use on demographic and psychological variables. The first hypothesis was partially supported. The second hypothesis was supported. The findings suggest that HIV/AIDS interventions need to take into consideration different levels of sexual risk taking with regard to condom use behavior among African American college students.

Key Words: African American • college student • condom use • HIV/AIDS • relationship status • sexual risk taking

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