The Relationship Between Resilience and the Intent to Practice HIV Prevention Among African American Women

• Main Author: Alston, Anita
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2011
• Subjects: African American Studies; Black studies; Public health
• ISBN: 9781267041609; 1267041609

The purpose of this study was to determine the association of resilience as measured by the Resilience Scale (RS) and the intent to practice HIV prevention strategies as measured by the HIV Prevention Strategies Assessment (HPSA) among African American women. African American women have struggled with inequalities such as decision making, gender and power imbalances, low self-esteem, self-efficacy, which have impacted their sexual behavior ultimately making them more susceptable to acquiring HIV. Researchers have studied resilience and protector factors in HIV infected persons; however, little has been done in regards to the role resilience plays in HIV prevention. A sample of 153 HIV negative African American women between the ages of 25-44 completed the RS and HPSA. The theory of gender and power and social learning theory were used as the theoretical framework for this study. To examine the relationship between the independent (resilience) and dependent variable (intent to practice HIV prevention), chi-square and descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. Results indicated a positive statistically significant relationship between resilience and the intent to practice HIV prevention strategies, although a significant number of African American women with high levels of resilience reported moderate to high levels of intent to practice HIV prevention strategies. Findings of this study contribute to positive social change by broadening the understanding of resilience, as a protective factor, and its association with HIV prevention strategies among African American women which can aid in the development of innovative education programs for African American women and girls that aim to reduce HIV infection and transmission.