Correlates of the Intention to Remain Sexually Inactive Among Underserved Hispanic and African American High School Students

Abstract

The objective of this study was to apply the Information-Motivation-Behavior (IMB) theoretical framework to examine the correlates of the intention to remain sexually inactive among Hispanic and African American high school students. This study utilized a cross-sectional survey of high school students. The setting was the unified school districts in the County of Los Angeles, California. The participants comprised a geographically defined convenience sample of 502 Hispanic and African American high school students. This study found that only 50% of this sample reported that they plan to remain sexually abstinent until they graduate from high school. Another 21% rejected the notion of remaining abstinent, and 29% were uncertain about their intention to engage in sexual activities before they graduate from high school. Male and African American students were less likely than their female and Latino counterparts to report an intention to remain sexually inactive. Using multinomial logistic regression and controlling for demographic characteristics, this study documented that students with (1) a higher level of perceived peer pressure, (2) a lower level of behavioral and refusal skills for avoiding sexual activity, (3) a more positive attitude toward practicing safe sex, and (4) a lower level of perceived pregnancy repercussions were less likely to claim to remain sexually inactive. The data from this study support the IMB model, which suggests that intervention programs focusing on knowledge alone are inconsequential in altering the intentions of adolescents with respect to their decision to engage in sexual activity. Intervention programs should focus on encouraging youth to postpone sexual activity by reducing peer pressure and building self-efficacy through enhancing motivations and culturally appropriate behavioral skills.