A theory-based approach to understanding safer sex behavior among baby boomer women

This study examined the relationship between safer sex information, motivation, and behavioral skills with safer sex behavior among baby boomer women. The participants of the study included 288 women who: (1) were born between 1946-1964, (2) self-identified as heterosexual, (3) were divorced, widowed, or had not been married for the last 3 years, (4) resided in the United States and were English speaking, and (5) had sexual intercourse (penile-vaginal) at least once in the last 3 years. The participants completed an on-line questionnaire between April 2009 and August 2009. The questionnaire was comprised of demographic items, and an abbreviated version of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Health and Relationships Survey (Misovich, Fisher, & Fisher, 1998). The average age of the respondents in the final sample was 51.3 years.;Pearson correlations and path analysis were performed to determine the correlations between safer sex information, safer sex motivation, safer sex behavioral skills, and safer sex behavior. The Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square tests were used to determine if any significant demographic differences existed on missing data. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 was used for all statistical analysis.;Significant indirect and direct effects were found between safer sex motivation and perceived safer sex behavioral skills, and safer sex motivation and safer sex behavior. These findings indicate that safer sex motivation is a significant predictor of perceived safer sex behavioral skills and safer sex behavior in baby boomer women (e.g. condom use). The results suggest that baby boomer women who are motivated to practice safer sex are more likely to engage in safer sex behaviors. In addition, the findings indicated that perceived safer sex behavioral skills are not a significant predictor of safer sex behavior without the indirect effects of safer sex motivation. The results also indicated that safer sex information does not significantly predict perceived safer sex behavioral skills, or safer sex behavior among baby boomer women. The results of this study are consistent with the results of other studies using the IMB model to better understand the impact that sexual health information, motivation, and behavioral skills have on safer sex behavior in different populations. The findings of this study may be useful in informing sexual health interventions in baby boomer women. Health practitioners may benefit from using safer sex motivation as a primary component of their safer sex interventions with this population.