Self-esteem, gender, and alcohol use: relationships with HIV risk perception and behaviors in college students

The present study examined the confluence of alcohol use and self-esteem on risky sexual behavior and perceptions of risk for female and male college students. It was predicted that higher levels of self-esteem, female gender, and lower alcohol consumption would be associated with greater condom use and lower perceptions of risk for self and partner. Results indicated that for low drinking students, those with high self-esteem reported greater condom use. In addition, low rates of alcohol use were associated with greater frequency of past condom use. Women and students low in self-esteem indicated greater perceptions of risk for themselves and their partners. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for developing interventions aimed at reducing risky sexual behavior.