The Effects of Ethnicity and Perceived Power On Women's Sexual Behavior.

To aid development of programs to prevent HIV transmission in women, differences in sexual attitudes and behavior were examined among women who described themselves as dominant in their relationship with a male partner, sharing dominance equally with a male partner, or being dominated by a male partner. Ethnic differences were also examined among these three groups. Results indicated that perceived dominance was a significant predictor of women's personal empowerment (self-efficacy and outcome expectancies) with regard to sexual decision-making in their current relationship and safer sex behaviors. Ethnic differences were found between African American and White women in personal empowerment and safer sex behavior. Perceived dominance did not appear to affect African American and White women differently