The effects of ethnicity and perceived power on women's sexual behavior

To aid development of programs to prevent HIV transmission in women, differ ences in sexual attitudes and behavior were examined among women who descri bed themselves as dominant in their relationship with a male partner, shari ng dominance equally with a male partner, or being dominated by a male part ner. Ethnic differences were also examined among these three groups. Result s indicated that perceived dominance was a significant predictor of women's personal empowerment (self efficacy and outcome expectancies) with regard to sexual decisionmaking in their current relationship and safer sex behavi ors; Ethnic differences were found between African American and White women in personal empowerment and safer sex behavior. Perceived dominance did no t appear to affect African American and White women differently.