| Title | Misperceived risk among female adolescents: social and psychological factors associated with sexual risk accuracy. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2003 |
| Authors | Kershaw, Trace S., Kathleen A. Ethier, Linda M. Niccolai, Jessica B. Lewis, and Jeannette R. Ickovics |
| Journal | Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pagination | 523-32 |
| Date Published | 2003 Sep |
| ISSN | 0278-6133 |
| Keywords | Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Connecticut, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, HIV Infections, Humans, Prospective Studies, Psychology, Social, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Social Perception, Urban Population |
| Abstract | This study of 411 urban female adolescents had 3 objectives: (a) assess the relationship between perceived risk and sexual risk behavior (condom use, number of partners, partner risk, presence of STDs, and aggregate sexual risk), (b) assess the accuracy of risk perceptions, and (c) identify variables related to inaccurate sexual risk perceptions. Participants were classified as accurate or inaccurate risk perceivers on the basis of actual sexual behavior and perceived risk. Accurate versus inaccurate risk perceivers were compared on psychological maintenance variables (self-esteem, distress, and coping), relationship context variables (partnership duration and pressure to have unprotected sex), and risk knowledge at different levels of sexual risk. Approximately half of the participants underestimated the risk of their sexual behavior. Accurate and inaccurate risk perceivers differed on risk knowledge, partnership duration, and pressure to have unprotected sex. |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10995-010-0650-3 |
| Alternate Journal | Health Psychol |
