Family Constellation and Ethnicity: Current and Lifetime HIV-Related Risk Taking

This study examined the relationship between social, structural, and economic variables that increased HIV-related sexual risk taking in a random community sample of 835 African American, Latina of Mexican origin, and White women, aged 18-50 years. Multivariate analyses tested relationships between women's family constellations, HIV/AIDS-related sexual risk-taking, perceptions of susceptibility to become infected with HIV, and condom use. The findings identified different patterns of sexual risk taking for each ethnic group. Latinas' risks increased within a committed relationship, and White women's risks were increased by sex outside of their current relationship and by their sexual practices. African Americans' risks increased due to economic instability and being single. Women's sexual risk taking illustrates how relationship building and family formation increase HIV-related risks regardless of ethnicity and current relationship status.