Purpose: This study focuses on social and cultural factors associated with sexual behaviors that contribute to increased risk for acquiring HIV. Previous studies show that American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations are disproportionately affected by demographic, economic, and health factors associated with increased risk for HIV infection (Indian Health Service, 1997), but few studies have established how social and cultural factors are associated with sexual risk. In this study, we pay particular attention to cultural life ways and how they are linked to sexual risk.

Method: Data are drawn from the Turtle Island Native Wellness Project, a comprehensive survey of urban AIANs in the New York City metropolitan area. Three subscales measuring “American Indian Way of Life (AIWL),” “Western Way of Life (WWL),” and “Sexual Risk” were created. Using a series of multiple linear regressions, we conducted exploratory analyses on how culturally lived experiences predict sexual risk.

Results: Our main findings indicate that both American Indian and Western ways of life are associated with sexual risk. A stronger AIWL significantly predicts lower sexual risk behavior. A stronger WWL does not significantly contribute to sexual risk behavior when controlling for AIWL.

Implications: The strong link between AIWL and decreased sexual risk suggests that maintaining traditional life ways may serve as a protective factor for urban AIANs and therefore should not be overlooked. This study provides useful information and a source for the development of culturally appropriate strategies for social work professionals addressing HIV/AIDS and STD prevention and intervention among urban AIANs.