This study examined demographic and psychosocial factors associated with safe sex attitudes among incarcerated adolescents. Researchers and correction staff interviewed 820 adolescents (691 males and 129 females) incarcerated in the Virginia juvenile justice system concerning safe sex attitudes, gender, age, ethnicity, length of time lived with biological father and mother, HIV/AIDS knowledge, self-esteem, hopefulness, perceived social support from family, alcohol use, and drug use. The results indicated that safe sex attitudes were positively related to being female, being African American, and having higher HIV/AIDS knowledge, self-esteem, and hopefulness, and they were negatively related to alcohol use and drug use. Resilience factors such as HIV/AIDS knowledge, self-esteem, and hopefulness may be an especially salient component of HIV prevention in incarcerated adolescents.
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