Sexual risk behavior among female army recruits

This tri-service study was an initial effort to develop an explanatory model of sexual risk behavior among young women in the military. Demographic, cognitive (problem-solving), and affective factors (self-esteem) were evaluated in relation to sexual risk behaviors (more than one sex partner, a new partner within 6 months, and not using a condom) among female Army recruits (n = 105) training at a large southeastern Army post. Participants demonstrated high self-esteem and good problem-solving abilities, yet more than two-thirds were at risk for STDs based on sexual risk behaviors. The relationship between self-esteem (affective) and problem-solving (cognitive) (r = 0.67, p = 0.0001) suggested that an emotional rather than a cognitive response may have influenced sexual risk behaviors. No relationships were observed between problem-solving or self-esteem and sexual risk behaviors. Implications for research and clinical practice are delineated.