Familism and the intent to practice safe sex among Chinese women living in the United States: an integrative model of behavioral prediction approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Asians living in the United States face unique HIV risk. From 2010 to 2017, the number of diagnosed HIV cases increased by almost 40% among Asians, while on average, the US has seen a 11% decrease in new HIV diagnoses (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV and Asians. 2019. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/racialethnic/asians/index.html). Culture-sensitive beliefs, which are often neglected in health communication, might play a role in safe sex practice in this particular population. Method: Utilizing the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction as a theoretical framework, this study looks into how acculturation to Chinese home culture contributes to Chinese immigrant women’s behavioral intention towards safer sex with a casual partner (N = 125). This relationship is proposed to be mediated by perceived social norms, attitude toward condom use, self-efficacy, and familism. Results: Findings indicate that self-efficacy and favorable attitudes toward condom use were predictive of intent, and that the significant predictive role of home culture on behavioral intent was fully mediated by familism. Conclusions: Future interventions should include strategies for enhancing Asian women’s self-efficacy for safe sex practices, cultivating a favorable attitude toward condom use, and emphasizing the home cultural values, specifically familism, that might increase their intent to practice safe sex.