Using Social Norms Theory to Explain Perceptions and Sexual Health Behaviors of Undergraduate College Students: An Exploratory Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Scholly ◽  
Alan R Katz ◽  
Jan Gascoigne ◽  
Peter S Holck
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Social Norms Theory ◽  
Undergraduate College Students ◽  
Sexual Health Behaviors

scholarly journals Sex in Late Life: Assessing Adults’ Expectations and the Role of Healthcare Professionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 313-313
Author(s):  
Jill Naar ◽  
Raven Weaver ◽  
Shelbie Turner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Growth Curve Models ◽  
The Us ◽  
Sexual Health Behaviors ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Sexual activity contributes to quality of life throughout the lifespan. However, stigma about sex in late life influences older adults’ perceptions and healthcare professionals’ perceptions of older adults’ sexual health/behaviors. Using a multi-methods approach, we examined attitudes and knowledge about sexual health/behaviors in late life. Using longitudinal data from the Midlife in the US Study (Wave 1-3; N=7049), we ran age-based growth curve models to analyze changes in levels of optimism about sex in their future. We also piloted a survey with healthcare professionals assessing attitudes, knowledge, and awareness of policy about sexual health/behaviors among older adults. Adults’ expectations became less optimistic with increased age (β = -0.1, SE = 0.003, p < .0001). Men were more optimistic than women at age 20 (p = 0.016), but men’s optimism decreased over the life course at a faster rate than did women’s (p < .0001), so that from ages 40-93, men were less optimistic than women. Among healthcare professionals (N=21), the majority indicated never or rarely asking their clients about sexual history or health/behaviors; however, they indicated some knowledge about issues relevant to older adults (e.g., safe-sex practices, sexual dysfunction). Few indicated awareness about policies related to sexual behavior among residents (i.e., issues of consent, STIs). Among adults, there is a need to address declining optimism for expectations about sex in late life. Health professionals are well-situated to raise awareness and normalize discussions about sexual health, thus countering negative stigma and contributing to increasing optimism for expectations to remain sexually active.

scholarly journals Non-parental Adults and Sexual Health Behaviors Among Young Minority Men: A Qualitative Examination

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma M. Sterrett-Hong ◽  
Joseph DeBow ◽  
Erica Caton ◽  
Matthew Harris ◽  
Russell Brewer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Structural Risk ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Sexual Health Behaviors

Young Black and Latino sexual minority men (YBLSM) exhibit disproportionately high rates of negative sexual health outcomes, including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, compared to other groups, partly due to relatively higher rates of exposure to a host of socio-structural risk factors (e.g., unstable housing and under-employment). However, an under-studied interpersonal resource exists for many YBLSM, non-parental adults (NPAs, i.e., adults who act as role models and provide social support), who may be able to influence contextual (e.g., unemployment) and individual (e.g., reduced health expectations) factors underlying sexual health disparities.Aims: This study sought to examine the role of NPAs in factors that affect sexual health behaviors and in supporting those health behaviors directly, among YBLSM living in a mid-sized city in the southern United States. A total of n=20 participants, n=10 YBLSM (ages 16 to 22), and n=10 NPAs (ages 26 to 52) were interviewed using semi-structured guides to examine NPA involvement in the lives of YBLSM from both sides of the relationship. The research team used a framework analysis approach to iteratively identify and define meaningful codes and sub-codes. Both YBLSM and NPAs described NPAs helping YBLSM through role modeling and social support in a variety of areas found to affect sexual health behaviors, such as housing instability and psychological distress, as well as in specific behaviors, such as condom use and HIV medication adherence. Given the multiple socio-structural obstacles facing YBLSM and their multifaceted relationships with NPAs, NPAs may be a promising resource to help address these impediments to health. Partnering more intentionally with NPAs is a potentially promising strategy to help reduce HIV-related disparities affecting YBLSM that is worthy of additional empirical attention.

Confusion Surrounding Social Marketing Strategies and Social Norm Theory: To Prevent High-Risk Drinking among College Students

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tavis J. Glassman ◽  
Robert E. Braun
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Social Norm ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Social Norms Theory ◽  
Norm Theory ◽  
High Risk Drinking ◽  
Marketing Principles

High-risk drinking, the consumption of 5 or more drinks on one occasion, constitutes a serious public health issue among young adults, particularly college students. In an attempt to address this issue in a cost-effective manner, many universities have implemented social marketing interventions sometimes utilizing social norm theory and in other cases using more traditional strategies. However, some practitioners, school officials, and even researchers incorrectly use the terms social marketing and social norms marketing, interchangeably. Social marketing influences health behavior through the use of marketing principles, such as the use of the 4Ps (product, price, placement, and promotion) to increase knowledge, change attitudes, and motivate individual or societal change. Conversely, social norms represents a specific theory which can be applied using social marketing principles. Social norm interventions are designed to correct peoples' misconceptions concerning the prevalence of a particular behavior. Theorists assert that by providing accurate information concerning the prevalence of the behavior of interest people will alter their behavior to fit the“norm.” Using social marketing approaches with or without social norms theory represents a promising cost-effective strategy for addressing high-risk drinking among college students. However, failing to understand and appreciate the conceptual underpinnings of how these two concepts relate to one another may result in ineffective interventions and conclusions concerning the efficacy of social marketing and/or social norms theory.

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