Advisor
Johnson, Brian
Committee Member
Gonzalez, David
Committee Member
O'Halloran, Sean
Committee Member
Mundfrom, Daniel
Department
Applied Psychology & Counselor Education
Institution
University of Northern Colorado
Type of Resources
Text
Place of Publication
Greeley (Colo.)
Publisher
University of Northern Colorado
Date Created
5-1-2012
Genre
Thesis
Extent
162 pages
Digital Origin
Born digital
Description
The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship among romantic attachment style, self-esteem, gender, and safe sex behaviors among emerging adult undergraduate students from a mid-sized western university. The participants included 155 male and female emerging adults who completed self-report questionnaires regarding romantic attachment style, self-esteem, and safe sex behaviors. A simultaneous multiple regression analysis was utilized to test the hypotheses. The analysis revealed statistical significance indicating that these variables taken together explain differences in levels of safe sex behaviors (R = .279, F(3, 145) = 4.075, p = .008). Specifically, the results of the complete model indicated that the combination of romantic attachment style, self-esteem, and gender accounted for a significant portion of the variance (7.8%) in safe sex behaviors among emerging adults. Gender was found to be a significant predictor of safe sex behaviors after controlling for romantic attachment style and self-esteem. Specifically, the analysis revealed that females engage in safer sex behaviors compared to males. However, romantic attachment style was not a significant predictor of safe sex behaviors after controlling for gender and self-esteem. Lastly, the simultaneous multiple regression analysis revealed that self-esteem did not explain levels of safe sex behaviors after controlling for gender and romantic attachment style. Results from this study may help in the prevention of sexual risk behaviors, encourage safe sex practices, and protect individuals from the unintended consequences of risky sexual behaviors.
Degree type
PhD
Degree Name
Doctoral
Language
English
Local Identifiers
Hope_unco_0161D_10146.pdf
Rights Statement
Copyright is held by author.
