Understanding HIV risk among African American adolescents: The role of africentric values and ethnic identity in the theory of planned behavior

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive validity of the theory of planned behavior among a sample of African American heterosexual adolescents. The roles of ethnic identity and Africentric values in the context of the theory of planned behavior were also examined. One-hundred and forty-eight heterosexual African American adolescents participated in the study. Components of the theory of planned behavior (attitudes, peer norms, perceived behavioral control) were tested using a series of hierarchical regressions. Results showed significant relationships between the theory components and sexual intent. Regression analysis also revealed significant relationships between the cultural variables (ethnic identity and Africentric values) and theory components. Findings suggest that efforts directed toward HIV prevention should enhance identity and cultural values, which should lead to healthy attitudes, less risky peer norms and increased behavioral control. These characteristics should reduce risky sexual intentions, thereby helping to reduce the risk of HIV infection.