Self-silencing and age as risk factors for sexually acquired HIV in midlife and older women.
Article
Jacobs, Robin J, Thomlison, Barbara. (2009). Self-silencing and age as risk factors for sexually acquired HIV in midlife and older women.
. Journal of Aging and Health, 21(1), 102-128. 10.1177/0898264308328646
Jacobs, Robin J, Thomlison, Barbara. (2009). Self-silencing and age as risk factors for sexually acquired HIV in midlife and older women.
. Journal of Aging and Health, 21(1), 102-128. 10.1177/0898264308328646
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(â = -.115, p < .05) and age (â = .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.
