Avoidance self-efficacy: Personal indicators of risky sex and substance use among at-risk youth

• Published in: Children and youth services review Vol. 147; p. 106846
• Main Authors: Wiese, Amanda L., Sease, Thomas B., Joseph, Elizabeth D., Becan, Jennifer E., Knight, Kevin, Knight, Danica K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2023
• Subjects: Adolescents; Assertiveness; Risk-taking; Self-efficacy; Sexual health; Substance use; Substance use; Adolescents; Risk-taking; Sexual health; Self-efficacy; Assertiveness; Substance Use; Risk-Taking; Sexual Health
• ISSN: 0190-7409; 1873-7765
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106846

•This study examined predictors of substance use and risky sex avoidance.•White youth reported more risk-taking and assertiveness compared to BIPOC youth.•In turn, risk-taking and assertiveness were correlated with avoidance self-efficacy.
Adolescent substance use (SU) is associated with risky sex behavior and sexually transmitted infections and is a risk factor for subsequent risky sex decisions. Based on a sample of 1,580 youth in residential SU treatment, this study investigated how a static factor (race) and two dynamic personal factors (risk-taking, assertiveness) contributed to adolescents’ perceived ability to avoid high-risk SU and sex behavior (avoidance self-efficacy). Results showed that race correlated with risk-taking and assertiveness, with White youth reporting higher ratings of assertiveness and risk-taking. Self-reported assertiveness and risk-taking also predicted SU and risky sex avoidance. This study underscores the importance of race and personal factors in relation to adolescents’ confidence in avoiding high-risk situations.