Personal, cognitive, behavioral, and demographic predictors of HIV testing and STDs in homeless women

• Published in: Journal of behavioral medicine Vol. 23; no. 2; p. 123
• Main Authors: Nyamathi, A M, Stein, J A, Swanson, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 01.04.2000
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; African Americans - statistics & numerical data; African Continental Ancestry Group; AIDS Serodiagnosis - psychology; AIDS Serodiagnosis - statistics & numerical data; Cocaine-Related Disorders - ethnology; Demography; European Continental Ancestry Group; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Health Behavior - ethnology; Hispanic Americans - statistics & numerical data; HIV Infections - ethnology; HIV Infections - psychology; Homeless Persons - psychology; Homeless Persons - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Middle Aged; Models, Statistical; Risk-Taking; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - diagnosis; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - ethnology; Social Support
• ISSN: 0160-7715; 1573-3521
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1005461001094

Using a multiracial sample of 621 homeless women, we tested a latent variable causal model of personal, cognitive, behavioral, and demographic predictors of two coping mediators and the outcome variables of HIV testing and return for test results and a recent STD infection. HIV testing and return were predicted by more social support, greater AIDS knowledge, greater perceived risk for AIDS, and more problem-focused coping strategies. Recent STDs were predicted by more AIDS knowledge, emotion-focused coping strategies, and risky sexual behavior and one measured variable, crack cocaine use. Emotion-focused coping strategies were predicted by drug use, less self-esteem, more social support, and greater perceived risk for AIDS. Hispanics reported less emotion-focused coping strategies than African-Americans. Predictors of problem-focused coping strategies included less drug use, more self-esteem, more social support, more AIDS knowledge, and less risky sexual behavior. African-Americans reported less problem-focused coping strategies than Latinas. Indirect effects on the outcomes mediated through coping styles are also reported. Theoretical and practical implications of results for community outreach are discussed.