Creator

Erica L. Hope

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.

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