10.1177/0095798405274719JOURNAL OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGY / MAY 2005Winfield, Whaley / RELATIONSHIP STATUS AND SEXUAL RISK TAKING Relationship Status, Psychological Orientation, and Sexual Risk Taking in a Heterosexual African American College Sample

The present study examined relationship status, psychological orientation to-ward sexual risk taking, and other characteristics as potential correlates of risky sexual behavior in a sample of 223 heterosexual African American college stu-dents. Risky sexual behavior was investigated as a multinomial variable (i.e., ab-stinence, consistent condom use, inconsistent condom use, or noncondom use) to determine whether differentiation of levels of risky sexual behavior yielded meaningful psychological or demographic patterns. The hypotheses were (a) stu-dents who are in a long-term relationship are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, and (b) students who report inconsistent condom use differ from those who report noncondom use on demographic and psychological variables. The first hypothesis was partially supported. The second hypothesis was supported. The findings suggest that HIV/AIDS interventions need to take into consideration different levels of sexual risk taking with regard to condom use behavior among African American college students