Role of family functioning and peer norms on sexual self-efficacy and safe sex practices among young parents

For young adults, family functioning and peer norms have been linked to various risky behaviors (e.g. delinquency, substance use, unsafe sex). This study examined the relationship between family functioning and peer norms on sexual self-efficacy and safe sex practices for a young, ethnically diverse group of parents. This study also determined if this relationship was significantly different for young parents with criminal justice histories. Male and female participants (N = 592) were classified into one of three groups: no arrest or incarceration, arrest only, and arrest and incarceration. A path analysis was conducted using Amos to explore the extent to which family functioning and peer norms significantly predicted sexual self-efficacy and safe sex practices while controlling for gender, race, and length of time incarcerated. Preliminary results suggested that both family functioning and perception of peer norms (as it related to condom use) significantly predicted sexual self-efficacy and safe sex practices and that young parents with criminal justice histories reported significantly less sexual self-efficacy and more unhealthy sexual practices than their non-criminal justice involved peers (p < .05). These observations suggest that in a cohort of young adults at greater risk because of their pregnancy and parenting experiences, those with criminal justice involvement reported less sexual self-efficacy than non-involved peers. These findings suggest the need for unique prevention strategies aimed at increasing the sexual self-efficacy and safe sex practices of young parents, especially those involved in the criminal justice system.