Session: A Comprehensive Approach to Understanding Determinants of Risky Sex in South African Adolescents (Society for Prevention Research 23rd Annual Meeting)

The three papers in this symposium focus on understanding adolescent risky sexual behaviors by incorporating contextual (e.g., peer group, family) factors that serve to increase or protect against risk. Preventing risky sexual behavior is even more important within developing contexts, such as South Africa, where an estimated 6.3 million adults and children live with HIV; the highest rate of any country. A comprehensive understanding of the context surrounding risky sex will inform practical and sustainable local and national policy efforts. We contribute to this knowledge through the examination of the poorly understood phenomenon of adolescent boys’ sexual victimization, factors associated with safe sex practices, and the impact of family structure on risky sexual behaviors.

Paper 1, “The Impact of Sexual Victimization on Adolescent Boys’ Sexual Risk and Sexual Aggression Behavior,” uses longitudinal data to analyze the influential pathways to risky sexual risk behavior for males who have been victimized. Results indicate victimization is associated with later aggressive and risky sexual behaviors. This new information highlights the importance of addressing the needs of males who may be victims and aggressors and the unique policy challenges associated with this group.

Paper 2, “Condom Use Self-Efficacy and Peer Substance Use Norms among South African Secondary School Students: An Application of Bivariate Growth Mixture Modeling,” mapped co-occurring growth in condom use self-efficacy and peer substance use norms to identify latent sub-groups. Results suggest three distinct classes illustrating the interaction between individual skills and peer deviance. [Implication sentence including policy.]

Paper 3, “Deceased, Absent, or Part-Time Father: Which is Worse? The Role of the Father in Daughter’s Risky Sexual Activities,” looks at the differential impact of father role on daughter’s risky sexual activities. Daughter’s with deceased fathers reported greater engagement in risky sexual activities similar to those of early maturing females. Existing policy in South Africa attempts to support orphaned children but stigma regarding cause of death may limit access to services such as school and health care.

The discussant, familiar with South African issues and policy, will conclude with summary statements and reflections from each presentation and moderate a discussion between presenters and attendees. Given the varying approaches to understanding and preventing risky sexual behavior, we anticipate this symposium will appeal to 2015 SPR attendees.