Native and immigrant adolescents in Spain: Adaptation and perceived discrimination as HIV-risk factors1

Two of the most studied psychosocial variables in relation to HIV are behavioral adaptation and perceived discrimination. The main objective of this study was to analyze whether behavioral adaptation and perceived discrimination can predict risky behaviors for HIV infection depending on cultural and gender differences. The sample was composed of 815 adolescents aged between 14 and 19 years old and who lived in Spain. Of these, 56.2% were native Spaniards and 47.8% were Latin American immigrants. Results show that Latin American adolescents, older adolescents, and less adapted adolescents adopt more risky behaviors for HIV infection. Moreover, Latin American adolescents showed more perceived discrimination and less social adaptation than native Spanish adolescents. Regarding gender, female native adolescents showed greater adaptation in school and social settings and male Latin American immigrants showed more personal adaptation and less school adaptation than females. The discussion highlights the importance of considering cultural and gender differences when designing programs to prevent HIV/AIDS.