The impact of depressive symptomatology on risky sexual behavior and sexual communication among African American female adolescents

Abstract

Adolescents are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly African American adolescents. The association between psychosocial factors and risky sexual behavior has been well established. However, only a small number of studies have examined the relationship between depressive symptomatology among African American female adolescents, specifically over time. The present study examined depressive symptoms as a predictor of risky sexual behavior, sexual communication, and STIs longitudinally among African American female adolescents between the ages of 15-21. Binary generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were conducted assessing the impact of depressive symptoms at baseline on risky sexual behavior and STIs over 6- and 12-months follow-up. Age, intervention group, and baseline outcome measures were entered as covariates. The results indicated that high levels of depressive symptoms predicted no condom use during last sexual encounter and multiple sexual partners over 6-months follow-up. Depressive symptoms also predicted having a main partner with concurrent partners, high fear of communication about condoms, and sex while high on alcohol or drugs over 6- and 12-months follow-up. These findings could be used to inform HIV/STI prevention intervention programs and clinicians providing regular health care maintenance to African American female adolescents engaging in risky sexual behavior.

Associação entre estados afetivos negativos e comportamentos sexuais de risco

“…A contribuição do humor deprimido para explicar comportamentos sexuais de risco, confirma a relação entre estas duas variáveis e realça a importância de avaliar e tratar os problemas de saúde mental que englobam estados afetivos negativos para promover a saúde sexual. No geral, os estudos confirmam o papel do humor deprimido na determinação dos comportamentos sexuais de risco e enquanto fator de risco para estes comportamentos (Seth et al, 2011). Contudo, a associação entre estas variáveis tem sido fraca, quer no estudo português, quer nos estudos internacionais (Costa et al, 2017;Crepaz & Marks, 2001;Crepaz & Marks, 2002).…”

“…No geral, os resultados das investigações têm verificado que os estados afetivos negativos como a depressão (Seth et al, 2011), a ansiedade (Agardh, Cantor-Graae, & Ostergren, 2012), e as experiências traumáticas (Agardh, Odberg-Pettersson, & Ostergren, 2011) se encontram associadas com comportamentos sexuais de risco.…”

Factors Associated with African American Women’s Sexual Health and Risk Behavior: A Mixed Methods Study

“…Sexual risk behavior, cited in these studies as failing to use condoms during recent sexual encounters, having multiple sexual partners, and engaging in sexual activity while under the influence of alcohol or drugs was increased in AAW with depressive symptoms (Neblett, Davey-Rothwell, Chander, & Latkin, 2011;Seth et al, 2011). The documented association between depression and sexual risks supports the evaluation of depression in AAW.…”

“…The presence of depressive symptoms has been cited as both a predictor and moderator of participation in sexual risk behavior in AAW (Lennon et al, 2012;Seth et al, 2011). Sexual risk behavior, cited in these studies as failing to use condoms during recent sexual encounters, having multiple sexual partners, and engaging in sexual activity while under the influence of alcohol or drugs was increased in AAW with depressive symptoms (Neblett, Davey-Rothwell, Chander, & Latkin, 2011;Seth et al, 2011).…”

“…Within studies included in this meta-analysis, AAW who had higher depression levels at baseline demonstrated greater sexual risk behavior change at study completion, suggesting that a reduction in depression levels may decrease participation in behaviors that increase sexual risk (Lennon et al, 2012). Similarly, another study of African American adolescent females suggested a predictive relationship between higher levels of depressive symptoms and recent unprotected sexual activity (Seth et al, 2011). The results of the two aforementioned studies support the need to examine depression symptoms as an emotional factor significantly influencing sexual health and participation in sexual risk behaviors.…”