SEXUAL BEHAVIORS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

This research study examined sexual behaviors of college students in relation to the effects of race, socioeconomic status, and religious commitment. One hundred and ninety eight ECU students responded to a survey administered through Perseus. Data were analyzed using the SPSS analysis software. Results indicated that those with a high religious commitment have a lower level of sexual risk-taking. There was a significant difference between college student's religious commitment and sexual risk-taking. Students with low and moderate religious commitment participated in moderate sexual risk-taking behaviors. When variables were assessed together, there were no apparent differences in sexual risk-taking behaviors based on race or religious commitment, which indicates that race and religious commitment are interrelated and the effects of each independently are difficult to determine. These research findings can be useful in guiding the development of culturally-relevant sexuality education programs.