Dating age and stage as correlates of adolescent sexual attitudes and behavior

Utilizing Developmental Perspectives in the Study of Adolescence

Although the individual life-span, family life course, and family systems perspectives have received frequent attention in recent times, there has been relatively little work comparing these three frameworks. In addition, these perspectives have been under-utilized in studying adolescence. This paper compares the basic concepts and approaches of these three perspectives, identifies some of the current limitations of each, and attempts to clarify how they might contribute in a cooperative manner to the further study of adolescent development.

Theories of Adolescent Heterosexual Behavior

Although some of the research on adolescent heterosexual behavior links empirical results to existing theories, many studies appear to be the-oretically barren and uninformed. Two of the major paradigms on sexuality-that it is both inner driven and socially shaped-are used to organize theoretical strands in previous work. This paper reviews research and theoretical perspectives that seem to be most useful in understanding adolescent sexual behavior, and then takes modest steps toward integrating and extending theoretical explanations of this phenomenon.

Sources of Information about Dating and Their Perceived Influence on Adolescents

This study examined the impact of parents, peers, the media, and sex education on shaping adolescents’knowledge about dating relationships. Half of the 100 (48 females, 52 males) participants were early adolescents (13 to 14 years) and half were middle adolescents (15 to 16 years). Through a questionnaire, participants identified the quantity of information, perceived correctness, and influence of each of the sources. Friends and sex education teachers were perceived to provide the most information, adults to provide the most accurate information, and friends to have the greatest influence on dating choices. Sex differences existed across various questions and source types. Girls received more information on dating across sources, perceived parents and the media to be more accurate sources of information, and were more influenced by their parents than were boys. Boys gave higher rankings to dating partners and dating behavior as comfortable sources of information than did girls.

Current Theoretical Perspectives on Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing in the United States

The purpose of this article is to synthesize and place in perspective contemporary theories and explanations of the high rates of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing in the United States. The study examined the strengths and weaknesses of the more prominent explanations of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing in light of current research. The success of health, school, and government programs designed to deal with adolescentpregnancy is in largepart contingent on the theoretical assumptions on which these programs are based. This article casts doubt on the hypothesis that the lack of reproductive information is in and of itself an important determinant of adolescent pregnancy in the United States. Many otherfactors are discussed that intervene to negate the effect of reproductive knowledge alone as a deterrent to adolescent pregnancy and childbearing. Suggestions for an integrative research agenda, as well as educational and health strategies focusing on adolescent pregnancy and childbearing are proposed.

The media as a critical determinant of the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria

PURPOSE

Findings on the influences of the media on the sexual health of adolescents in vulnerable communities in Ibadan are presented.

METHODS

Phase I of the WAVE study in Ibadan was conducted among participants purposively selected from disadvantaged communities in Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA). Qualitative research methods (key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, community mapping and focus group discussions as well as photovoice sessions) were utilized.

RESULTS

A total of 132 key informants and adolescents (aged 15-19 years) participated. The key informants were teachers, youth workers, and religious leaders working with adolescents within the LGA. Respondents mentioned a number of media technologies (such as television, cellphones, computers, the Internet as well as online and hard copy novels) that adolescents are exposed to in contemporary times. They said these had positive and negative influences on them. Adolescents often looked up information on the Internet although it was mostly used as a means of meeting and communicating with friends. Respondents stated that the media had a strong influence on adolescents' sexual and reproductive health especially regarding dating, relationships, and sexual practices. It also exposed them to pornography and Internet fraud.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlighted the important role the media plays in the sexual health of adolescents in Ibadan. Intervention programmes need to make use of this medium to reach out to more adolescents and measures should be instituted to prevent adolescents from misusing the media.

Childhood sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy: a meta-analytic update

OBJECTIVE

Recent increases in adolescent pregnancies have sparked a renewed impetus to identify risk factors, such as childhood sexual abuse (CSA), associated with adolescent pregnancy. Given mixed evidence regarding the strength of the relationship between CSA and adolescent pregnancy (Blinn-Pike, Berger, Dixon, Kuschel, & Kaplan, 2002), our objective was to provide an estimate of the effect size of this relationship using updated literature and meta-analytic techniques.

METHODS

Meta-analyses of 21 studies were conducted using a random effects model of binary outcomes to determine aggregate effect-size estimates controlling for study heterogeneity.

RESULTS

CSA significantly increased the odds of experiencing an adolescent pregnancy by 2.21-fold (95% CI: 1.94-2.51). A supplemental analysis suggested that 4.5 out of 10 pregnant adolescents may have a prior history of CSA.

CONCLUSIONS

CSA places females at increased risk for subsequent adolescent pregnancy. Addressing conditions associated with CSA might impact the overall adolescent pregnancy rate.

Dating and Sexual Attitudes in Asian-American Adolescents

Dating behaviors and sexual attitudes of Asian-American youth were examined in a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study in the context of adherence to Asian values, measured by the Asian Values Scale (AVS). In all, 31 Asian-American adolescents (age 14-18 years old) from a Houston community center were interviewed regarding dating behaviors and sexual attitudes. Almost three-fourth of adolescents dated without parental knowledge. Compared with adolescents with the lowestAVS scores, those with the highestAVS scores were significantly more likely to date without parental knowledge and date longer before sex. Many adolescents proceeded directly to single, steady, relationships. Parents permitted dating, as long as grades were maintained. Asian-American adolescents should be questioned about secret dating, sexual activity, and participation in other high-risk activities.

CHEMISTRY IN THE COLLEGE DATING PROCESS: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Males and females dating at the college level often state that there has to be chemistry between them and a dating partner. The present study was conducted to try to determine: (1) the structure of specific variables male and female daters apply to their concept of chemistry, and (2) how these variables apply to the dating process. The results indicated that physical attractiveness, similarity, spontaneous communication, reciprocity, warm personality, and longing tended to be the most important variables.

Coital debut: the role of religiosity and sex attitudes in the Add Health Survey

Recent reviews suggest that religiosity is associated with the delay of adolescent coital debut (Rostosky, Wilcox, Wright, Randall, in press; Wilcox, Rostosky, Randall, Wright, 2001). Few studies, however, have examined this association using longitudinal data to test theoretically driven models. We analyzed data from 3,691 adolescents (ages 15-21), testing the hypothesis that adolescent religiosity and sex attitudes (at Wave 1) predict later coital debut (at Wave 2) and that these predictive relationships vary by gender. Findings indicated that beyond demographic factors and number of romantic partners, religiosity reduced the likelihood of coital debut for both males and females. After accounting for the effects of religiosity, anticipation of negative emotions after coital debut (sex attitude factor 1) further reduced its likelihood for females and males. Finally, adolescent girls - but not boys - who anticipated positive emotions following sexual intercourse (sex attitude factor 2) were more likely to debut. While virginity pledge status was associated with coital debut for boys and girls, more conservative beliefs about sex appeared to mediate its effect. Finally, a significant interaction between race and religiosity indicated that African American adolescent males who had either signed a virginity pledge or were more religious were significantly more likely to debut than both White non-Hispanic males and African American males who were less religious and/or who had not signed a pledge. The implications of these results for adolescent pregnancy prevention programming are discussed.

CORRELATES AND PREDICTORS OF RISKY SEXUAL PRACTICES AMONG A MULTI-RACIAL/ETHNIC SAMPLE OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

This research identifies the correlates and predictors of risky sexual behaviors among an ethnically diverse multiethnic sample of college students attending a large state university in the southeastern U.S. (N=338). Nine risk and five protective factors served as independent! predictive factors in the analyses. The dependent variable was scores on a risky sexual behaviors scale. Six of the nine risk factors and four of the five protective factors were significantly correlated with scores on the risky sexual behaviors scale. Regression analyses identified six significant predictors of risky sexual practices: number of partners in last six months; religious values; condom attitudes; age at first sex; binging on alcohol; and residential locus. These terms explained 29.4% of the total variance in risky sexual behavior scores. Implications for prevention programs and future research are noted.

Social network constellation and sexuality of sexually abused and comparison girls in childhood and adolescence

This longitudinal study examines how childhood and early adolescent (age 6 to 15) peer and nonpeer social networks relate to sexual attitudes and behaviors in adolescence and young adulthood (age 12 to 25) for sexually abused and comparison girls. A large number of male peers in childhood is related to heightened sexual activity, sexual preoccupation, increased sexual pressure, and risky sexual behavior in adolescence. High-quality, female, nonpeer relationships have a positive effect on attitudes toward casual sex. Multiple group models illuminate several cross-lag group moderators: (a) Abused girls who are happier with male nonpeers are less preoccupied with sex; (b) abused girls who are happier with male peers are more likely to use birth control; and (c) abused girls who have early physical relationships are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. Treatment implications include monitoring the effects of low-status peer groups, encouraging contact with female role models, and encouraging the formation of high-quality relationships with male peers and nonpeers.

What leads to sex? Adolescent preferred partners and reasons for sex

83 African-American and White male and female adolescents, ages 16-20 years old, were asked to list preferred partner qualities and reasons to have or not have sex as measures of their perceptions of antecedents of sex. High frequency items were placed on cards and sorted separately by an additional four gender and racial subsamples (n = 79). Data were analyzed using multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. Health-related antecedents to sex were not predominant in responses. Both African-American female and male adolescents mentioned "nice body" as criteria for evaluating partner attractiveness and associated this with good looks, whereas White adolescents did not mention "nice body". African-American male adolescents associated love relationships with marriage and parenthood whereas others did not. African-American and White male adolescents indicated sexual arousal as a reason for sex, whereas African-American and White female adolescents did not, with African-American male adolescents associating sexual arousal with an attractive partner and White male adolescents associating sexual arousal with drinking. Implications for sexually transmitted disease prevention are considered.

Female adolescents and onset of sexual intercourse: a theory-based review of research from 1984 to 1994

PURPOSE

To review a decade of research on the correlates of early onset of sexual intercourse among female adolescents in the United States, using Social Cognitive Theory as a framework for classification.

METHODS

Forty-nine studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1984 and 1994 were reviewed and their findings coded by two independent coders.

RESULTS

Findings indicate that most of the studies emphasized quantitative methodologies, using cross-sectional designs and univariate statistical analyses. Many studies lacked a theoretical framework or conceptual model to guide their investigations. When evaluating empirical findings, 61% of the studies found environmental correlates and 47% found biological factors (e.g., age and pubertal development) to be significantly associated with early initiation of sexual intercourse.

CONCLUSION

These findings raise important questions about the quality of research on adolescent sexuality, as well as its relationship to the development of risk-reduction programs which tend to focus mainly on intrapersonal factors (such as attitudes, knowledge, and expectancies.

Adolescent heterosexual experience: a new typology

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to define a typology that encompasses the full range of adolescent heterosexual behavior; to compare the usefulness of the new typology with that of the traditional dichotomy of "sexually active"/"sexually inactive" for understanding sexual behavior among adolescents; and to determine the implications of the new typology for the design and implementation of HIV prevention programs targeting adolescents.

METHODS

Detailed face-to-face interviews were conducted with a cross-sectional sample of 907 mothers and their adolescents, ages 14-17 years, recruited from public high schools in Alabama, New York, and Puerto Rico. Information from the adolescent survey on precoital sexual behaviors and STD/HIV sexual risk and risk reduction behaviors was examined. A typology of adolescent heterosexual experiences was constructed using four behavioral dimensions.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine percent (n = 894) of the sample was classified into one of the five patterns of sexual experience: Delayers, Anticipators, One-timers, Steadies, and Multiples. Among the participants who were not sexually active, precoital behaviors differed significantly between the 22% who anticipated initiating sexual intercourse in the next year (Anticipators) and those who did not (Delayers). Among those traditionally classified as "sexually active", One-timers and Steadies were significantly older when they first had penile-vaginal intercourse than those who had multiple partners. One-timers were more likely to use condoms than Steadies or Multiples, and only Multiples reported previous STDs.

CONCLUSION

A typology that defines a range of adolescent heterosexual experiences was developed, and it was possible to classify 99% of our sample. The traditional dichotomy between "sexually active" vs. "not active" hides important behavioral intentions and sexual practices. These differences must be taken into account in the development and implementation of HIV prevention programs that target adolescents.

Teenage sexual attitudes in China

Not much is known about the sexual attitudes of Chinese teenagers. In this article we endeavor to address this void by examining the sexual attitudes of Chinese teenagers with survey data collected in Sichuan Province in 1988. Our analysis has two goals: first, to describe aggregate attitudes toward premarital sexual practices; and second, to identify the principal factors that influence these attitudes. To accomplish the second goal we estimate several regression equations with predictor variables known to influence teen sexual attitudes. Our analysis reveals major differences and similarities between China and the United States and indicates that China's teenagers are somewhat strongly opposed to teen sexual contact, but seem to be more understanding of others who so engage, despite strike laws and public morality forbidding it.

Adolescent life events and their association with the onset of sexual intercourse

This study examined the timing of several events marking the transition from adolescence to young adulthood and their correlation with the age at first sexual intercourse. The model included parental disruption, dropping out of school, working, drug use, and dating. Socioeconomic status, gender, and race were included as control variables. Data are taken from the National Survey of Children, a longitudinal study of children ages 7-11 in 1976 who were reinterviewed in 1981 and 1986. Factors associated with first intercourse include age, tobacco use, marijuana use, dating, and parental divorce during the child's adolescent years. Age interacts with dating, working, and the use of illegal substances, and race interacts with dating and dropping out of school in their influence on first intercourse. Other transitions, such as alcohol use, parental divorce before adolescence, and parental marriage, had little influence on first sexual intercourse. Events such as dating appear to increase the risk of first intercourse, while the use of drugs may reflect a set of behaviors that occur simultaneously with sexual initiation. The correlated transitions identify a group of adolescents at risk for early sexual activity.

Relations between social skills and high-risk sexual interactions among adolescents. Current issues and future directions

Researchers have begun to employ social-skills training in efforts to change the sexual behavior of adolescents. However, despite the promise of social-skills training, little is known about how social skills are related to the sexual practices of adolescents. The present article reviews the current literature and proposes a conceptual framework for understanding the relations between social skills and sexual behavior of adolescents by (a) examining the relationship between sexual activity and social skills, (b) examining the development of sexual-interaction skills and deficits, (c) summarizing what is currently known about the relations between social skills and sexual behavior, (d) discussing current issues in the assessment and treatment of sexual-interaction skills deficits, and (e) proposing some directions for needed research that will add both to our current knowledge base and to the effectiveness of applied intervention efforts.