1.6 The Multiple Layers of Influence on Sexuality

The field of public health looks at the different ways in which people are influenced when making decisions about their health and wellbeing. One of the ways we do this is with the help of the Socio-Ecological Model (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019b; McLeroy et a., 1988). The model takes into account the multiple levels of sources that impact individual attitudes, beliefs, and behavior, including their relationships, community, and society.

• At the individual level, the smallest circle inside all other aspects in the model, a person’s multiple identities and traits affect their actions and how they make sense of the world, for example, age, race, education, income, gender identity, ability, etc. Because we all have multiple intersecting identities, each person has a unique way in which we interact within society.
• At the relationship level, the next circle surrounding the individual, personal interactions, such as those with friends, family, peers, and partners, change our interpretations and responses.
• For the community level, the circle encompassing both the relationship and individual circles, we consider the context of where someone lives, as well as the organizations within that community, like schools and faith communities.
• At the societal level, we take into consideration far-reaching influences, such as policies and laws, media, culture, and societal norms; the societal level surrounds the community, relationship, and individual circles.

This model is multidirectional; not only do societal, community, and relationship factors influence the individual, but each of these sources influences the others. Consider how organizations within communities lobby to get policies changed at the societal level, or how societal norms influence the types of relationships people see as acceptable. In using this type of model, we recognize that individuals don’t make decisions in a vacuum, but that multiple systems influence and change the resources, options, and perspectives to which they’re exposed. We can be more understanding of why people make the decisions they do if we consider how these different factors influence decision-making.