The role of peer, parent, and culture in risky sexual behavior for Cambodian and Lao/Mien adolescents

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.12.005

Journal of Adolescent Health

Volume 38, Issue 3, March 2006, Pages 288-296

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.12.005 Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of age, gender, peer, family, and culture in adolescent risky sexual behavior for Cambodian and Laotian (Lao)/Mien youth.

Methods

We obtained cross-sectional, in-home interview data including measures of individualism, collectivism, acculturation, risky sexual behavior, peer delinquency, parent engagement, and parent discipline from a sample of mostly second-generation Cambodian (n = 112) and Lao/Mien (n = 67) adolescents. Data were analyzed using step-wise, hierarchical multiple regressions.

Results

Peer delinquency and age (older) were significant predictors of risky sexual behavior in both groups. Parent discipline also significantly predicted risky sexual behavior, but only for Lao/Mien adolescents. Vertical and horizontal individualism were associated positively with risky sexual behavior for Cambodian youth whereas collectivism (horizontal) was associated negatively with risky sexual behavior for Lao/Mien youth. Acculturation was nonsignificant in both groups.

Conclusions

In addition to age, parents, and peer groups, the findings suggest that culture also matters in risky sexual behavior, particularly for Cambodian and Laotian youth.

Section snippets

Role of acculturation

From some very limited and sparse studies, there are data suggesting that acculturation, particularly for immigrant groups, may play an important role in sexual behavior. Acculturation is described as the process of “changes in attitudes, values, and behavior due to contact between two cultures” [10]. The process is characterized by the ethnic minority group adopting language, values, beliefs, and behaviors from the host culture. To date, there are only a few studies investigating the

Sample and procedure

This study was taken from a larger risk and protective factors research study of Asian/Pacific-Islander delinquency [26]. Chinese and Southeast-Asian youth were recruited from 2 schools and 5 community-based organizations serving predominately Asian populations in Oakland, CA. On a day assigned by the school administrators, researchers attended every mathematics and physical education class, gave a short presentation about the study, and asked for voluntary participation. Youth who were

Descriptive statistics

The sample for this study consisted of mostly second-generation Cambodian (n = 112) and Lao/Mien (n = 67) youth. The average age for Cambodians and Lao/Miens was 15 years. Gender was distributed almost equally, with slightly more females in the Lao/Mien group, and more males in the Cambodian group. Table 1 shows the mean, SD, range, and internal consistency (α) of the scales used in this analysis, separately for Cambodian and Lao/Mien groups. The internal consistency of the measures across all

Discussion

That age and peer influence were the strongest predictors of Cambodian’s and Laotian’s risky sexual behavior is not surprising. This finding is consistent with other studies involving European-American or African-American populations [15], [34]. Consistent with peer cluster theory and social learning theory, peers are likely to exert substantial influence on youth’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors about what is appropriate sexual behavior. In particular, delinquent peers are more likely to

Conclusions

The present study points to some new directions for future research. The findings show that, although similar factors may be important for adolescent risky sexual behavior in general such as family and peers, cultural factors also are important. We suggest that further research exploring the role of culture including cultural values, individualism/collectivism, cultural conflict, acculturation, ethnic identity, and risky sexual behaviors be included in the study of adolescent risky sexual

Acknowledgments

Supported by grant R49/CCR918619-01 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The authors are grateful for the assistance of Isami Arifuku, Mary Lai, Lila Booth, and the 18 field interviewers and interns in conducting this study. The authors also acknowledge Judy Wallen for providing statistical support.

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Original articleThe role of peer, parent, and culture in risky sexual behavior for Cambodian and Lao/Mien adolescents

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Role of acculturation

Sample and procedure

Descriptive statistics

Discussion

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc Health

Am J Prev Med

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc Health

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care

J Adolesc Health

Prevalence of health risk behaviors among Asian American/Pacific Islander high school students

J Adolesc Health

Ethnic and gender differences in sexualityvariations in sexual behavior between Asian and non-Asian university students

Arch Sex Behav

Understanding the onset of intercourse among urban American adolescentsa cultural process framework using qualitative and quantitative data

Hum Organ

Early adolescent sexual activitya developmental study

J Marriage Fam

Political intervention in scientific peer reviewresearch on adolescent sexual behavior

Am Psychol

Assessment of acculturation

Influences of culture on Asian Americans’ sexuality

J Sex Res

Acculturation, gender role orientation, and reproductive risk-taking behavior among Latina adolescent family planning clients

J Adolesc Res

Horizontal and vertical dimensions of individualism and collectivisma theoretical and measurement refinement

Cross-Cultural Res

The influence of parental support, depressed affect, and peers on the sexual behaviors of adolescent girls

J Fam Issues

Transformation in peer relationships of adolescentsimplications for health-related behavior

The social context for risky sexual behavior among adolescents

J Behav Med

Original article
The role of peer, parent, and culture in risky sexual behavior for Cambodian and Lao/Mien adolescents