Abstract
Individual trauma experiences can potentially lead to negative emotional and behavioral outcomes. In this study, the author explored whether the presence of trauma changed the direction or magnitude of the relationship between risky sexual behaviors (unprotected sex, sex with stranger, sex with drinking) and clinical symptoms, and whether such correlations are impacted by gender and ethnicity. The hypotheses proposed that each of the independent variables (depression, self-esteem, gender, and ethnicity) would be predictors of the dependent variable (risky sexual behaviors), such that having greater depression, having lower self-esteem, being female, and being an ethnic minority would predict a higher incidence of risky sexual behaviors, and that the level of trauma would moderate the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Findings showed that lower self-esteem was associated with a higher incidence of risky sexual behaviors, supporting one of the hypotheses. Contrary to the expected direction, males and White participants engaged in greater risky sexual behaviors compared to female and minority participants. Additionally, there was no moderation of trauma impacting risky sexual behaviors and the independent variables. The discrepancies between past and current findings may be due to varied definitions of risky sexual behaviors, effects of different types of trauma, and other clinical symptoms impacting behaviors. Future research should focus on trauma beyond college samples, verifying self-reported risky sexual behaviors, and exploring possible cultural features and protective factors that lower future risk for trauma survivors.