Self-Silencing and Age as Risk Factors for Sexually Acquired HIV in Midlife and Older Women

Objectives: This study explores the contribution of psychosocial factors on sex behaviors of midlife and older women. Methods: A community-based sample of ethnically diverse women (N = 572) between the ages of 50 and 93 completed standardized measures of self-silencing, self-esteem, sensation-seeking behavior, HIV-related stigma behavior, sexual assertiveness, and safer sex behaviors. Results : Results from the regression analysis indicated the model significantly predicted safer sex behaviors (p < .001), with self-silencing (β = —.115, p < .05) and age (β = .173, p < .001) as significant predictors. Bivariate correlation analysis indicated an inverse correlation between HIV stigma (p < .05) and safer sex behaviors. Discussion: Implications for further study and practice are discussed to include considerations for development of age- and gender-appropriate prevention interventions assisting women with interpersonal processes combined with skills for active involvement in addressing high-risk sex behaviors.