Depression, stress, and social support as predictors of high-risk sexual behaviors and STIs in young women

Kathryn E Mazzaferro; Pamela J Murray; Roberta B Ness; Debra C Bass; Nadra Tyus; Robert L Cook

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.02.004

Depression, stress, and social support as predictors of high-risk sexual behaviors and STIs in young women

J Adolesc Health. 2006 Oct;39(4):601-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.02.004. Epub 2006 Jul 10.

Authors

Kathryn E Mazzaferro¹, Pamela J Murray, Roberta B Ness, Debra C Bass, Nadra Tyus, Robert L Cook

Affiliation

¹ Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA. kemst36@pitt.edu

PMID: 16982400
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.02.004

Abstract

A total of 403 women (aged 14-25 years) were surveyed to determine the association of psychosocial variables with risky sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Depression, stress, and low social support were associated with high-risk sexual behaviors and past STIs. When comparing adolescent women (aged 14-19) to young women (aged 20-25), the adolescents had stronger associations with the outcome variables.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Condoms / statistics & numerical data
Depression
Female
Humans
Male
Pennsylvania / epidemiology
Psychosocial Deprivation*
Risk Factors
Sexual Behavior*
Sexually Transmitted Diseases / diagnosis
Sexually Transmitted Diseases / etiology*
Stress, Psychological*