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Predictors of Adolescent Sexual Behavior and Intention: A Theory-Guided Systematic Review

NCJ Number
217429
Journal
Journal of Adolescent Health Volume: 40 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2007 Pages: 4-21
Author(s)
Eric R. Buhi Ph.D.; Patricia Goodson Ph.D.
Date Published
January 2007
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study summarizes the past decade's scientific health research literature on the predictors of adolescent sexual behavior and intention.
Abstract
The review found that intention, or motivation to have sex, was the most stable predictor of all elements in the integrative model. Also, a youth's perceptions of norms (i.e. peers' sexual behaviors, peers' attitudes toward sex, and parental attitudes regarding sex) were fairly stable predictors of an adolescent's sexual behavior/intention outcomes. Studies also found that increased time alone with the opposite sex or being home alone without a parent were associated with increased sexual activity and early initiation of intercourse. An area that needs further inquiry is the effects of certain variables--such as refusal skills, internalized moral standards, and emotional needs--on sexual behavior/intention outcomes. Regarding research methods, this review notes that they remain based in convenience-type samples and in analytical techniques that do not reflect the complexities of adolescent sexual behavior. This increases the difficulties in establishing causative relationships, lacks control for selection biases, and prevents the generalization of research findings. Using the matrix method for literature reviews, statistically significant and nonsignificant findings were identified from 69 published studies. Study themes and findings were identified from the perspective of an "integrative model." This model identifies eight factors that account for most of the variance in any given deliberate behavior. These are a strong intention, the absence of environmental constraints, necessary skills, a positive attitude toward performing the behavior, social normative pressure to act, consistency between the behavior and the person's self-image or personal standards, positive emotional reactions to the behavior, and confidence in performing the behavior under different circumstances. 2 tables and 93 references