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Are All Forms of Insistence Equally Effective?: Sexual Assertiveness, Aggression, and Biological Sexual Risk Markers

Sat, May 23, 9:00 to 10:15, Caribe Hilton, Conference Room 6

Abstract

The present study examines how assertive and aggressive communication behaviors associated with condom negotiation are differentially associated with sexual risk. Participants were 238 African-American females, 18 to 24 years old, who reported unprotected sexual activity and alcohol use in the previous 90 days. Data collection included interactive sexual negotiation role plays coded for communication behavior and a self-collected vaginal swab specimen to detect the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis. Assertive communication behavior and the use of we-language were negatively associated with biological markers of STIs whereas aggressive communication was positively associated with presence of STIs. Results indicate that the presence of assertive behavior and the concomitant absence of aggressive behaviours are associated with lower sexual risk.

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