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Sexual Risk Behavior Among Black Adolescents

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Abstract

This study investigates sexual risk behavior among a national sample of Black adolescents. While risky behavior among black adolescents has been studied, many studies are limited methodologically, and are not sufficiently focused on family factors. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, findings indicate that there is a substantial overlap in risky behaviors among black adolescents, in that sexual behavior is strongly related to substance use. Family factors play a role in sexual behavior among black adolescents, in that maternal warmth is associated with less involvement in sexual behavior. The impact of peer drug use, family structure and religious involvement is of limited significance in sexual behavior. These results differ from previous research. We interpret the results and make suggestions for future research on black adolescent sexual behavior.

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Acknowledgement

This research uses data from Add Health, a program project designed by J. Richard Udry, Peter S. Bearman, and Kathleen Mullan Harris, and funded by a grant P01-HD31921 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, with cooperative funding from 17 other agencies. Special acknowledgment is due Ronald R. Rindfuss and Barbara Entwisle for assistance in the original design. Persons interested in obtaining data files from Add Health should contact Add Health, Carolina Population Center, 123 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-2524. This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA14672).

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  1. Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1111, USA

    Clifford L. Broman

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  1. Clifford L. Broman
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Correspondence to Clifford L. Broman.

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Broman, C.L. Sexual Risk Behavior Among Black Adolescents. J Afr Am St 11, 180–188 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-007-9020-7

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