PRC - Research - Genevieve Ames, Ph.D. - "Drinking, Cultural Norms, and High Risk Sexual Behavior Among Young Adults"

The goal of this study is to gain an understanding of environmental and psychosocial factors underlying two concerns for the U.S. military: unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This project is still in its preliminary phase. We will be conducting our research specifically with the U.S. Navy, and focusing on young adults in their first enlistment period, the group at highest risk for experiencing problems associated with substance use and unprotected sexual activity.

We expect the results of this research to inform the development of basic guidelines for an environment-focused prevention program. Towards that end, we propose to examine the relationship of drinking behavior and occupational and social environments to high-risk sexual behavior (HRSB) with the following specific objectives:

To assess the extent of risky sexual behavior (e.g., careless use or non-use of condoms and contraceptives; multiple partners; no or poor pre-sex communication) within the study sample;

To assess the relationship between drinking and risky sex in these Navy contexts;

To explore how perceptions or experiences of risky sexual behavior may vary depending on occupational and job categories in the Navy;

To consider risky sexual behavior in the context of other relevant social environments (e.g., shore leave, social life during shore duty, sea duty, deployment);

And finally, to assess risky sexual behavior as related to individual background and psychosocial factors.

The research design calls for a five-year study of the U.S. Navy, using both survey and ethnographic methods. We intend to survey 3500 randomly selected men and women in their first enlistment period, and to conduct ethnographic (open-ended) interviews with 25 key personnel (military physicians, counselors, chaplains, and health educators) and 80 young men and women for purposes of gaining varying perspectives on both predictors of risky sexual behavior and preventive measures.

We are in the initial phases of the project. It will be challenging - particularly given the sensitive nature of the subject area, and the considerable requirements for human subjects approval. These are revealing of the difficulties and ambiguities surrounding sexuality (and discussion around it, including its study) in the U.S. military as well as the general population.

We are confident these data will be important to the development of policy, educational, and environmental adjustments leading both to prevention of problems associated with risky sexual behavior, as well as to the overall well-being and enhanced productiveness of recruits.