Providing Support to Friends Experiencing a Sexual Health Uncertainty

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-7-2020

Publication Title

Journal of Applied Communication Research

Volume

48

Issue

4

First page number:

1

Last page number:

22

Abstract

Emerging adults provide support to friends experiencing sexual health uncertainties; however, the support provided varies. Because of the centrality of friendships during emerging adulthood, identifying what shapes the support friends provide one another is necessary. A survey of 424 emerging adults indicated that, at least from the support provider’s perspective, expected outcomes, efficacy assessments, and sexual health expertise shape the support they provide friends, supporting the theory of motivated information management’s propositions. However, expertise moderated the effects of coping and target efficacy in unexpected ways, suggesting a conditional process when providing blame, fault, and distraction support. Results, as a whole, support yet complicate the theory of motivated information management’s explanation for the support or information provider due to expertise and emphasize the need for complete sexual health education for young people.

Keywords

Uncertainty; Sexual Health; Support; Emerging Adults

Disciplines

Communication | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Language

English

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