Sexual Risk Among African American Women: Psychological Factors and the Mediating Role of Social Skills

Timothy M. Curran, Jennifer L. Monahan, Jennifer A. Samp, Valerie B. Coles, Ralph J. DiClemente, Jessica Sales

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Prior research demonstrates a positive association between mental health problems and sexual risk for African American women. Using the social skills deficit hypothesis, we proposed that social skills mediate this relationship. African American women (n = 557, M age = 20.58) completed measures of depression, stress, emotional dysregulation, sexual risk behaviors, and perceptions of their social skills with their primary sexual partner. Social skills mediated the link between the mental health assessments and a composite sexual risk index. Theoretical implications of extending the social skill deficit hypothesis are discussed as well as implications for interventions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)536-552
Number of pages17
JournalCommunication Quarterly
Volume64
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 19 2016

Keywords

  • African American Women
  • Depression
  • Emotional Dysregulation
  • Interpersonal Stress
  • Sexual Risk
  • Social Skills

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication

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