Toward an understanding of (em)power(ment) for HIV/AIDS prevention with adolescent women

Adolescent females, particularly urban and low-income youth of color, are at particular risk for HN infection. This article rises an empowerment perspective to consider the degree to which intrapersonal and interpersonal power dynamics in heterosexual relations have an impact on condom rise among high-risk youth. Participants in this study were 333 African American and European American urban youth, ages 14-19 years, who were heterosexually active. Measures focused on interpersonal and intrapersonal factors thought to be associated with condom use. This model was most useful in predicting condom use among women and least useful in predicting condom use among male participants, Implications for empowerment theory and future research are discussed.