This paper focuses on the quantitative analysis of an article that looks at low-income minorities, namely youth. The sample, its demographic properties, cause-and-effect issues of the experiment are discussed. The sexual behavior of this group is a critical and poorly studied issue. This article suggests, as one of the options for identifying the determinants and predictors of such behavior, using the information-motivation-behavior model or the IMB (Bazargan et al., 2010). This high-risk sexual behavior increases the risks of AIDS and HIV and requires intervention but remains a sensitive issue. In addition to this model, this study also uses structural equation modeling to prove or disprove certain relationships.
Theoretical Underpinning
Any research or experiment requires preliminary theoretical data processing. In this case, the IMB model applied to Hispanic and African American minorities had a proven effect of specific knowledge on sexual behavior – STIs, the consequences of teenage pregnancy – the less a person knew, the more motivated it was in such behavior (Bazargan et al., 2010). This article provides a more detailed study with age, gender, and ethnicity as variables and puts forward several hypotheses; for example, girls are more pessimistic about early pregnancy or that older youth are more involved in sexual behavior.
Sample
The sample of the experiment consisted of 380 teenagers from California. The division by sex was approximately equal; the age ranged from 11 to 17 years. Each student was required to provide their consent to participate and the consent of their parents or guardians. The experiment complied with all the necessary modern ethical standards while maintaining complete anonymity. The measurement methods themselves – the survey – were adapted from a similar study, with the definition of the necessary variables in the context of using the models. Indicators assessed were knowledge, risk behavior, ability to resist sexual behavior, consequences of unwanted pregnancy, and peer pressure (Bazargan et al., 2010). This data was processed and interpreted with the help of appropriate software.
Results
During the search for the main factors influencing sexual behavior, the adequacy of the model was also assessed using various statistical indicators. Only significant influences persisted between the variables. The results are indeed indicators that the older group was more likely to have intercourse, more than half of those did not have contraception (Bazargan et al., 2010). Consequently, 5% of the total sample already had a sexually transmitted disease (Bazargan et al., 2010). Knowledge about sexual activity and the ability to withdraw from it were crucial determinants.
The rest of the factors identified, such as attitudes towards a particular ethnic group and the consequences of pregnancy, had minimal dependence on risky sexual behavior. Consequently, older adolescents, their awareness, and the ability to stop are the basis for risky behavior that these levers can be regulated (Bazargan et al., 2010). Peer pressure is a factor in withdrawing from sexual behavior, but a comprehensive approach is required for a deeper understanding of relationships. Sexual interventions are needed at the stages of forming sexual norms in adolescents and before possible mistakes, which can lead to various consequences for health.
Conclusion
The IMB model has proven to be an excellent tool for assessing behavior and identifying its drivers and determinants. Behavioral skills can be regulated, especially sexual interventions in adolescents from ethnic minorities. Eradicating ignorance and developing rejection habits is delicate and needs work, but with the help of IBM, researchers have taken a significant step towards shaping healthy youth and safe, measured behavior.
Reference
Bazargan, M., Stein, J. A., Bazargan-Hejazi, S., & Hindman, D. W. (2010). Using the Information-Motivation Behavioral Model to predict sexual behavior among Underserved minority youth. Journal of School Health, 80(6), 287-295.