PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES AND PREDICTORS OF AIDS RISK BEHAVIORS, ABORTION, AND DRUG-USE AMONG A COMMUNITY SAMPLE OF YOUNG-ADULT WOMEN

Relations among latent constructs of Social Conformity, Sensation Seek ing, Polydrug Use, Sexual Experience, Abortion, and Risky AIDS Behavio rs were examined among a community sample of women (N = 438, mean age = 25.5 years) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and predictive structural equation models (SEM). In the CFA, Risky AIDS Behavior was strongly related to more Polydrug Use and less Social Conformity and m odestly related to Sexual Experience and Abortions. In SEMs, Social Co nformity significantly predicted less Risky AIDS Behavior and less Pol ydrug Use but did not predict Abortions. Prior Sexual Experience predi cted more Polydrug Use and Abortions. We conclude that the same psycho logical processes and predispositions that relate low social conformit y to drug use and other unhealthy behaviors also influence AIDS-risk b ehaviors, even among a community sample of women.