Sexual risk during initial months in US among Latina young adults

Do Traditional Gender Role Beliefs Promote Abstinence and Sexual Health Behaviors Among Latina College Students?

Traditional gender role beliefs, or marianismo beliefs, are theorized to be largely protective against health risk behaviors, including sexual risk behaviors among Latina young adults. However, measurement differences across studies and research with heterogeneous samples of abstinent and sexually active Latina young adults have led to unclear findings. Thus, we investigated whether endorsement of certain marianismo beliefs may promote sexual health behaviors or solely promote abstinence. Guided by gender role schema theory, this study investigated the multidimensional construct of marianismo beliefs in relation to past-year abstinence from sexual activity, STI and HIV testing, and condom use among 611 Latina young adults. Results indicated that endorsement of the Virtuous and Chaste belief was associated with decreased odds of sexual activity (i.e., increased odds of being abstinent) in the past year. None of the five marianismo beliefs were significantly linked with condom use. Among sexually active participants, the Virtuous and Chaste belief was associated with decreased likelihood to be tested for both STIs and HIV in the past year. Findings support the notion that certain marianismo beliefs (e.g., the Virtuous and Chaste belief) may promote abstinence, yet pose a risk for sexual health via reduced likelihood for STI and HIV testing. Results may inform culturally-tailored HIV prevention interventions with Latinas to reduce the disproportionate HIV burden in this population.

Exploring the Role of Marianismo and Loneliness in Latinas' Physical and Mental Well-Being

The goal of this study is to better understand the role of social relationships and traditional gender norms in Latina health. Utilizing Hawkley and Cacioppo's theoretical model of loneliness and health as a framework, loneliness is proposed as a key component in the relationship between the Latina gender norm of marianismo and health. Participants were 178 female adults who identified as Latina (N = 97) or non-Latina White (N = 81), ranging in age from 19-88, who completed measures of loneliness, marianismo, depression, overall health, and health practices. Results indicate that being Latina was associated with family pillar marianismo, which includes characteristics centered on women's roles as the core of the family, that was associated with lower loneliness, and lower loneliness was subsequently associated with better overall health, lower depression, and beneficial health practices. However, being Latina had no association with silencing self to maintain harmony marianismo, that in turn had no association with loneliness, or health outcomes. These results suggest that elements of marianismo can play a protective role in Latina health and well-being, particularly when Latinas endorse the positive aspects of the gender norm that place women at the center of their families. Results also help explain the Latino health paradox by providing more specificity in the links between Latina ethnicity and positive health outcomes.

A review of bidimensional acculturation and STI/HIV-related sexual risk behaviours among Hispanic youth

A growing body of research suggests that acculturation may play a role in the disproportionate likelihood of sexual risk behaviour and STI/HIV infection among Hispanic youth in the USA. We systematically reviewed the relationship between acculturation and STI/HIV-related sexual risk behaviour among Hispanic youth aged 13-24 by reviewing studies that have used a bidimensional acculturation approach. Electronic databases were searched with the searches limited to articles published in 1992 when the concept of bidimensional acculturation was introduced or later. Two independent researchers screened the full data set to assess eligibility. Six studies were included. Three studies used cross-sectional data, while the other three used longitudinal data. We discovered that sexual risk behaviours differed by Hispanic youth acculturation types and were moderated by gender. We found that Hispanic acculturated youth had lower odds of having multiple sex partners than US acculturated youth. However, the relationship between acculturation and condom use yielded contradictory results and we could find no report on bi-culturation and sexual behaviour. Additional research is needed to explore whether adopting both US and Hispanic-heritage cultures at the same time may reduce or increase the odds of engaging in sexual risk behaviour among Hispanic youth in the USA.

Longitudinal associations of parent-child communication, dating behaviors, decision-making processes, and sex initiation among United States Latina/o adolescents

Objective

This study examined differences and identified developmental predictors of oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse initiation across generational status among Latina/o adolescents of both genders. More specifically, we compare generational status and gender differences in the longitudinal predictions from parent-child sex communication and dating behaviors to sex initiation 5 years later, and how these associations may be mediated by perceived peer norms, intentions, and attitudes regarding sex among Latina/o adolescents.

Methods

Using prospective longitudinal data from the Healthy Passages™ project collected in Houston and Los Angeles, Latina/o girls (n = 879) and boys (n = 885) who were identified as 1st- (18%), 2nd- (58%), or 3rd (24%)-immigrant generational status reported on their dating behaviors and parent-child communication about sex at 5th grade (M age = 11.12 years), their perceived peer norms and attitudes regarding sex at 7th grade (M age = 13.11 years), and if they had initiated oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse by 10th grade (M age = 16.06 years).

Results

Third-generation Latina girls were more likely than 1st- and 2nd-generation Latinas to have initiated sexual intercourse by 10th grade. More advanced dating behaviors in 5th grade had a positive association with sex initiation for all generational status groups among Latino boys, but only among 1st-generation Latina girls. Moreover, mediating decision-making processes of peer norms and attitudes differed for each group.

Conclusion

Pre-adolescent dating behaviors are associated with long-term differences in adolescents' sexual behaviors, which may point to targets for prevention efforts. Acculturation differences may contribute to different ways in which adolescents decide to engage in sexual intercourse based on the previous dating experiences.

Subjective culture and HIV preventive behaviour among young Latin Americans: a systematic review

Given high levels of new HIV infection globally, calls have been made for greater attention to the cultural variables that hinder prevention and testing. However, no reviews exist to systematise the findings. This study aimed to identify the cultural variables associated with three HIV preventive behaviours (condom use, HIV testing behaviour, and injection drug use with non-shared or sterilised syringes) among young Latin Americans. A systematic review was conducted guided by PRISMA-P criteria, on five databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Medline and Scielo), which identified 2474 articles. Scientific articles and empirical studies that addressed cultural variables and HIV preventive behaviours among young people aged 15-24 years of age using Latin American samples were selected, with 37 articles being included in the final review. Six key cultural variables: the importance of female virginity; the role of trust in the couple's relationship; the disorienting effects of romantic love; the role of subjective norms; the importance of decision-making norms; and impulse control beliefs. Gender norms provide a framework for understanding sexual decision-making among young Latin Americans. Although young people have begun to adopt more egalitarian views of gender norms, deep-rooted beliefs about gender, sexuality and relationships continue to impact on HIV prevention behaviour.

The Mediating Role of Sexual Self-Efficacy on Protected Sex

Background:

Ascribed traditional gender role has rarely been examined in the topical area of protected sex.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between HIV knowledge, ascribed cultural gender roles of machismo and marianismo, acculturation, attitudes toward risky sexual behaviors and sexual self-efficacy on protected sex, and the mediating effect of sexual self-efficacy between these predictors and protected sex.

Methods:

Part of a larger study, Hispanic college students from a Hispanic-serving institution in a U.S. southern border city were recruited.

Results and Conclusion:

Sexual self-efficacy was found a significant mitigating factor against sexual risks associated with machismo as well as a positive reinforcing element on attitudes toward protected sex. Study findings have implications toward the development of culturally sensitive evidence-based interventions that promote sexual self-efficacy skills among Hispanic males who strongly identify with culturally ascribed gender roles.

Representation of gender in migrant health studies - a systematic review of the social epidemiological literature

Background

Gender as a social construct contributes to determine who migrates and which migration-related risks and opportunities emerge in all phases of the migration trajectory. Simultaneously, migration influences the individual as well as societal definition and perception of gender roles. An explicit gender perspective in migration-related epidemiological research can contribute to adequately analyse and interpret the health of migrants. This systematic review gives a comprehensive overview on how gender has been conceptualised, operationalised and measured in social epidemiologic studies aiming to assess the influence of gender on health among migrants.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, EconLit and PsycINFO and conducted backward reference searching. Reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data and conducted the quality assessment. Eligible studies actively aimed to understand, identify or explain the influence of gender on migrants’ health, whereby the role of gender can encompass a variety of mechanisms, processes or states of differentiation, discrimination and/or inequality.

Results

Almost all of the 43 studies were cross-sectional and focussed on health outcomes in the post-migration phase. The most common theme of research was the health of male migrants in the US, and in particular of men who have sex with men (MSM). All studies treated gender as a binary variable (men vs. women), without discussing additional types of gender identities. A minority of studies differentiated clearly between sex and gender. Gender was mostly operationalised through attitudes toward gender roles and gender-based discrimination, experienced at the individual level. Community and societal level gender measures capturing structural gender determinants were underrepresented.

Conclusions

The intersections of migration and gender suggested synergistic effects on health that only become visible when considering those two social determinants together. Future research needs to embrace a multilevel and non-binary understanding of gender and reflect on the influence of gender in the different phases of the migration journey.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019124698.

Immigrant Generational Differences in Social Support and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Seattle, Washington

Different immigrant generations may encounter distinct sexual opportunities with implications for HIV transmission. Yet, few studies have examined how immigrant generational status is associated with sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM). We explored relationships between immigrant generational status, social support, and sexual risk behaviors among English-speaking MSM using data from surveys conducted in Seattle, Washington, in 2014 (n = 323). We compared the sexual risk behaviors and social support of first-generation, second-generation, and third- and higher-generation MSM, and examined whether immigrant generational status and social support were associated with sexual risk behaviors using logistic regression models. Second-generation MSM reported lower friend social support than first- or third- and higher-generation MSM (p < .05). However, immigrant generational status was not associated with sexual risk behavior outcomes, even after accounting for social support. Results suggest that differences in immigration processes such as acculturation may be more predictive of risk behaviors than generational status alone.

Traditional gender roles and alcohol use among Latinas/os: A review of the literature

Research indicates alcohol use among Latinas/os occurs within a gendered context. Scholars surmise this is due to traditional gender roles (TGRs) of Latina/o culture, but without an analysis of the literature these assertions are unclear. Thus, this article provides a narrative review of the extant TGRs and alcohol use literature among Latinas/os. Thirteen articles met inclusion criteria. Across studies, findings were mixed, aside from those suggesting TGRs composed of hypermasculinity (i.e., traditional machismo) were robustly related to drinking. Tests of mediation and moderation indicated TGRs and alcohol use should be assessed within a multivariate framework. Future research should address these inconsistencies through methodological refinements. In addition, we suggest the integration of existing theoretical perspectives to assist with scholarly development in this area.