Do Religious and Control Cognitions Predict Risky Behavior? II. Development and Validation of the Sexual Risk Behavior-related God Locus of Control Scale for Adolescents (SexGLOC-A)

Abstract

Research has identified numerous correlates of sexual risk behaviors among adolescents. However, two potentially important cognitive constructs, perceived control and religious beliefs, have received considerably less attention. Research demonstrates that the most informative examination of the relationship of perceived control beliefs to sexual risk requires instruments that directly assess control beliefs specific to sexual risk behaviors. Further, beliefs about God as a source of control (e.g., the perception that God is [or is not] actively helping one to delay sexual contact, refuse engagement in high risk sexual behaviors, or limit the number of sexual partners) may influence adolescents’ decisions, yet there are no instruments available to examine such beliefs. This study describes the development of a measure of God control beliefs over sexual risk behavior and provides initial reliability and validity data. Results suggest that the Sexual Risk Behavior-related God Locus of Control measure for Adolescents (SexGLOC-A) is a reliable and valid measure having demonstrated high internal consistency and both convergent and discriminant validity.