Avoidance, Anxiety, and Sex: The Influence of Romantic Attachment on HIV-Risk among Pregnant Women
- 25 July 2006
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in AIDS and Behavior
- Vol. 11 (2), 299-311
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-006-9153-z
Abstract
Most unprotected sex occurs in close relationships. However, few studies examine relational factors and sexual risk among high-risk populations. Romantic Attachment Theory states that individuals have cognitive working models for relationships that influence expectations, affect, and behavior. We investigated the influence of attachment avoidance and anxiety on sexual beliefs (e.g., condom use beliefs, self-efficacy), behavior (e.g., condom use, multiple partners, unprotected sex with risky partners), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among 755 high-risk, young pregnant women (ages 14-25) recruited from urban prenatal clinics. Attachment anxiety predicted sexual beliefs, condom use, and unprotected sex with risky partners controlling for demographic variables. Sexual beliefs did not mediate the relationship between attachment orientation and sexual behavior. Current relationship with the father of the baby did mediate the effect of attachment anxiety on multiple partners and STIs. Results indicate the importance of including general relational factors, such as attachment, in HIV prevention.Keywords
This publication has 55 references indexed in Scilit:
- Adult Attachment and High-Risk Sexual Behavior Among HIV-Positive PatientsJournal of Applied Social Psychology, 2004
- Older Partners and STD Prevalence Among Pregnant African American TeensSexually Transmitted Diseases, 2003
- Adult attachment and sexual behaviorPersonal Relationships, 2002
- Structural and Supportive Changes in Couples' Family and Friendship Networks Across the Transition to ParenthoodJournal of Marriage and Family, 2002
- Validity of scales measuring the psychosocial determinants of HIV/STD-related risk behavior in adolescentsHealth Education Research, 1999
- Attachment Styles and Personality Disorders: Their Connections to Each Other and to Parental Divorce, Parental Death, and Perceptions of Parental CaregivingJournal of Personality, 1998
- Use of Computer Interview Data to Test Associations between Risk Factors and Pregnancy OutcomesComputers and Biomedical Research, 1997
- Dimensions of Adult Attachment, Affect Regulation, and Romantic Relationship FunctioningPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1995
- Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1990
- The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1986