Perspectives of parents, teachers, and community leaders on adolescent sexual behavior across ecological contexts in Cambodia: a qualitative study.

Using data from 370 adolescent males and 390 adolescent females, this study investigates factors associated with Korean adolescents' sexual behavior. The data showed that sixteen percent of the sample reported some type of intimate sexual behavior. The results from regression analyses indicate that alcohol use, dating mood, love for partner, similarity of sexual attitude between partners, and interaction between respondents' attitude on sex and alcohol use were significant predictors of Korean adolescents' sexual behavior with adjusted R2 of .61. The factors significant for adolescents' sexual behavior differed by gender. The factors significant for adolescent males and adolescent females accounted for 65% and 61% of the explained variance for adolescent males' and adolescent females' sexual behavior, respectively. In both cases, dating mood was a strong predictor of adolescents' sexual behavior. Contrary to expectations specified, neither parental factors nor sibling influence was significant.

To date, most parent-based research has neglected the role of fathers in shaping adolescent sexual behavior and has focused on mothers. The objective of this study was to conduct a structured review to assess the role of paternal influence on adolescent sexual behavior and to assess the methodological quality of the paternal influence literature related to adolescent sexual behavior. We searched electronic databases: PubMed, PsychINFO, Social Services Abstracts, Family Studies Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Studies published between 1980 and 2011 that targeted adolescents 11 to 18 years and focused on paternal parenting processes were included. Methodological quality was assessed by using an 11-item scoring system. Thirteen articles were identified and reviewed. Findings suggest paternal factors are independently associated with adolescent sexual behavior relative to maternal factors. The most commonly studied paternal influence was emotional qualities of the father-adolescent relationship. Paternal communication about sex was most consistently associated with adolescent sexual behavior, whereas paternal attitudes about sex was least associated. Methodological limitations include a tendency to rely on cross-sectional design, nonprobability sampling methods, and focus on sexual debut versus broader sexual behavior. Existing research preliminarily suggests fathers influence the sexual behavior of their adolescent children; however, more rigorous research examining diverse facets of paternal influence on adolescent sexual behavior is needed. We provide recommendations for primary care providers and public health practitioners to better incorporate fathers into interventions designed to reduce adolescent sexual risk behavior.

Although there have been numerous studies documenting the association between family structure and adolescent sexual behaviors, we still know very little about the specific mechanisms through which parents' marital status affects the sexual activities of adolescents (Hayes, 1987). Research on family configuration and adolescent sexuality has rarely gone beyond reiterating that an association exists and then interpreting the results in terms of various theoretical explanations (Brooks-Gunn & Furstenberg, 1989; Hayes, 1987). This research examines the effects: of divorced mothers' dating behaviors and attitudes of sexual permissiveness on the sexual attitudes and behaviors of their adolescent children. The influence of parents' marital status on the sexual development of adolescents is well established. Young people who live in single-parent households engage in sexual activity at younger ages and more frequently than those from intact two-parent families (Forste & Heaton, 1988; Hogan & Kitagawa, 1985; Miller & Moore, 1990; Newcomer & Udry, 1987; Zelnik, Kantner, & Ford, 1981). The effects of parents' marital status are persistent even when other important predictors such as race, religiosity, age, and social class are controlled (Day, 1992; Miller & Bingham, 1989; Miller & Moore, 1990). One explanation for the effects of family configuration-on adolescent sexuality suggests that adolescents in single-mother households are made more are of their mothers' sexuality than those in intact two-parent households because of their mothers' dating relationships. As single mothers reestablish their social lives after divorce, begin dating, and initiate new intimate relationships, their sexual attitudes and behaviors may become more apparent to their teenaged children. Such adult behaviors may be particularly salient at this developmental stage because adolescents are contending with many of the same issues in their own lives. Like their single mothers, they may be making choices about whom to date and making decisions about their sexual values and behaviors. Adolescents, therefore, are very likely to model such adult behaviors in their own early romantic relationships. In one of the few studies actually examining modeling effects, Thornton and Camburn (1987) found that in the process of adjusting to single life, divorced mothers develop less restrictive attitudes towards sexual behaviors than women who remain in intact marriages. Similarly, adolescent daughters perceived their divorced mothers to be more sexually permissive than daughters in intact families, and, in turn, were more sexually active themselves. It is noteworthy that the effects were strongest in families where mothers had gone through the courtship process and remarried. Inazu and Fox (1980) also found that daughters of mothers who had cohabited were more likely to be sexually active; Although these studies point to potential modeling of mother's attitudes by daughters, the role of mothers' dating behaviors has not been addressed. Moreover, the findings of these earlier studies seem to indicate that mothers' attitudes affect only their adolescent daughters. The present study examines the effects of mothers' dating behaviors and attitudes about sexuality on the sexual attitudes and behaviors of both sons and daughters. HYPOTHESIZED MODEL A fully recursive path model (see Figure 1) was hypothesized to investigate the effects of mothers' dating behaviors and attitudes about sexuality on their adolescent children's sexual attitudes and behaviors. (Figure 1 omitted) It was hypothesized that mothers' dating behaviors would have a positive effect on adolescents' sexual behavior (arrow A). This direct effect would indicate a direct modeling influence of observed parental behaviors on adolescent behaviors. From this point of view, mothers' dating behaviors model sexually appropriate behaviors. As the adolescent observes that these behaviors are emotionally rewarding to his or her mother, he or she is more likely to engage in similar behaviors (Bandura, 1977). …

The current study was a cross-sectional examination of data collected during an HIV risk reduction intervention in south Florida. The purpose of the study was to explore the relationships between neighborhood stress, parenting, attitudes, and adolescent sexual intentions and behavior. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a model to guide variable selection and propose an interaction pathway between predictors and outcomes. Potential predictor variables measured for adolescents ages 13-18 (n=196) included communication about sex, parent-family connectedness, parental presence, parent-adolescent activity participation, attitudes about sex and condom use, neighborhood disorder, and exposure to violence. Outcomes were behavioral intentions and sexual behavior for the previous eight months. Neighborhood data was supplemented with ZIP Code level data from regional sources and included median household income, percentage of minority and Hispanic residents, and number of foreclosures. Statistical tests included t-tests, Pearson’s correlations, and hierarchical linear regressions. Results showed that males and older adolescents reported less positive behavioral intentions than females and adolescents younger than 16. Intentions were associated with condom attitudes, sexual attitudes, and parental presence; unprotected sexual behavior was associated with parental presence. The best fit model for intentions included gender, sexual attitudes, condom attitudes, parental presence, and neighborhood disorder. The unsafe sexual behavior model included whether the participant lived with both natural parents in the previous year, and the percent of Hispanic residents in the neighborhood. Study findings indicate that more research on adolescent sexual behavior is warranted, specifically examining the differentials between variables that affect intentions and those that affect behavior. A focus on gender and age differences during intervention development may allow for better targeting and more efficacious interventions. Adding peer and media influences to the framework of attitudes, parenting, and neighborhood may offer more insight into patterns of adolescent sexual behavior risk.

To know that we know what we know: perceived knowledge and adolescent sexual risk behavior

Relationships of maternal sexual behavior, mother-adolescent communication about sex, and maternal attitudes about adolescent sexuality to adolescent sexual risk-taking behavior were examined in a sample of 397 Black and Hispanic families headed by single mothers. Some support emerged for a positive relationship between maternal sexual risk-taking behavior and adolescent risk-taking behavior; however, when considered in the context of communication about sex and maternal attitudes about adolescent sexuality, the relationship was no longer significant. When the process of sexual communication between a mother and an adolescent was open and receptive, less adolescent risk-taking behavior was reported. The role of single mothers in influencing their adolescents' sexual behavior is discussed.

BackgroundThe advent of social media over the years significantly influences the sexual choices of adolescents. Ensuring the appropriate use of these platforms is key to developing positive attitudes towards sex-related subjects. Yet, evidence of the effect of social media on the sexual behaviours of adolescents is scarce. This study examined the association between social media use and adolescents’ sexual behaviours in Ghana.MethodsThis was an institutional-based cross-sectional study involving 401 adolescents selected from 1 Senior High and 5 Junior High Schools in Drobo, Jaman South Municipality, Ghana. Using a structured questionnaire, data on social media and adolescent sexual behaviours were collected and binary logistic regression was employed to examine the association between social media and sexual risky behaviours of the adolescents.ResultsParticipants were on average 16 years (mean = 15.9; SD = 1.8), and there were slightly more female (52.6%) participants than male participants. Adolescents who used at least one social media platform had significantly higher odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviours compared to those who did not (AOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.20, 4.46; P = 0.012). Adolescents in Senior High School were more likely to have risky sexual behaviours compared to their counterparts attending Junior High Schools regardless of social media use (AOR: 4.22; 95% CI: 2.43, 7.34; P < 0.001). Similarly, adolescents whose guardians were salary workers had 59% decreased odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviours compared to those whose parents/guardians were farmers irrespective of social media use (AOR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.80; P = 0.009).ConclusionSocial media use predicted risky sexual behaviours among adolescents. The need for adolescent empowerment for appropriate social media usage becomes empirical to ensure they benefit. Civil society organizations and other relevant institutions should contribute to organizing seminars and other important events to teach these adolescents how to make the best out of these platforms.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Adolescent current sexual behavior is tending to be permissive. Many of adolescents have engaged in sexual activity ranging from mild to heavy conducts such as having sexual intercourse. A preliminary survey conducted on 24 students of SMK Negeri 1 Cirebon presented results that almost half of the respondents had heavy sexual activity.The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with adolescent sexual behavior in SMK Negeri 1 Cirebon in 2011. This study was conducted using a method of an analytical survey with a cross sectional study design. The sample was class X students of SMK Negeri 1 Cirebon totaling 240 respondents drawn by systematic random sampling. The results showed that the majority of students of SMK Negeri 1 Cirebon were male (76.7%). Most of the students received information on reproductive health and sexual behavior from media (60.8%). Around 64.2% students had enough knowledge about reproductive health and 72.1% students committed mild sexual behavior. Based on the analysis using SPSS 17 with chi-square test, there was a relationship between sex and adolescent sexual behavior (P value 0.000), there was no relationship between source of information and adolescent sexual behavior (P value 0.093), and there was a relationship between the level of knowledge about adolescent reproductive health and adolescent sexual behavior (P value 0.009). Keywords: Adolescent Sexual Behavior, Sex, Source of Information, Level of Adolescent’s Knowledge

Adolescence is a time of self-discovery and physical, as well as cognitive, development. It is within this context that adolescent sexual development and sexual behavior occur. While curiosity and experimentation are normal, sexual behaviors, both coital and non-coital, place adolescents at risk for undesired consequences including sexually transmitted disease acquisition and pregnancy. Trends in adolescent sexual behavior are changing, and health care professionals must be aware of these trends to provide necessary medical care and education to this population. While the sexual activity of teenagers garners much attention, attention must also be directed at non-coital activities such as masturbation, mutual masturbation and oral sex, as the riskier of these behaviors appear to be increasing. The trends in sexual activity and contraceptive use are encouraging with a decrease in the proportion of adolescents reporting sexual activity, and an increase in the proportion reporting using contraception. These trends, however, are not shared equally among racial groups with the greatest decline reported in the in lowest risk groups. Sexual minority youth continue to report a higher prevalence of high-risk behaviors, both sexual and non-sexual, as compared to their heterosexual peers. These findings highlight the multiple roles health care professionals can play in caring for this unique population: firstly as health care providers, offering age appropriate, confidential health care; secondly, as reproductive health care educators providing factual, balanced, and realistic information to both teenagers and the community; and thirdly, as advocates lobbying for greater education and services for this at-risk population.

How Does Traditional Confucian Culture Influence Adolescents' Sexual Behavior in Three Asian Cities?

Background: Healthy sexuality is a developmental process which needs investments from parents. Nonetheless, little is known about the effect of parenting practices and styles on the sexual risk behavior of young people. Objectives: to assess the effect of different parenting styles and parenting practices on the sexual behavior of adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3840 randomly selected high school adolescents using three stage sampling in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected by a self-administered anonymous pre tested questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify parental factors associated with sexual behavior. Results: From the 3543 students participated in this study 723(20.4%) respondents reported ever having sexual intercourse and nearly three -quarter of those who initiated sex were involved in risky sexual practices. Respondents who live with both parents [AOR= 0.48 (95%CI: 0.21-0.83)] and perceived connected to their parents [AOR= 0.51(95%CI: 0.22-0.96)] were less likely to experience risky sexual behavior. Similarly, students from authoritarian and authoritative parents were more likely to have safe sexual practices [AOR = 0.38(95%CI: 0.23-0.86)] and [AOR = 0.41(95%CI: 0.24-0.93)] respectively compared to children from permissive parenting styles. In addition, parent child communication about sexual issues [AOR =0.56 (95%CI: 0.31-0.94)] and parental monitoring were protective from risky sexual behavior [AOR =0.52(95%CI: 0.32-0.92)]. Conclusion: Appropriate parenting practices have a shielding effect from adolescent sexual risk behavior. Interventions that enable parents to build proper parenting practices, skills and styles have paramount importance.

Sexual intercourse in absence of birth control has resulted in an epidemic of over one million teen pregnancies annually (Forrest & Singh, 1990), costing $17 billion in medical and social services each year (Hayes, 1987). About 1 in 7 teens have contracted one or more sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (Quackenbush, 1987), accounting for 25% of the reported STD cases (Hingson et al., 1990). Among the nearly 285,000 adolescent and adult acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases in the United States (Center for Disease Control, 1993a), nearly 11,000 were diagnosed between the ages of 13 and 24 (Center for Disease Control, 1993a). However, the actual number of adolescents infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is estimated to be much higher and doubling each year (Brooks-Gunn, Boyer, & Hein, 1988). Given a latency period as long as 10 years, the 20% of AIDS cases diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20 and 29 were most likely acquired during adolescence (Center for Disease Control, 1992; Rotherum-Borus & Koopman, 1992). HIV infection rates among larger samples range from .10% among military recruits to .65% among Job Corps residents (Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 1992). Higher rates have been reported for select risk groups: One percent of females under 19 giving birth, 2.2% of youths attending STD clinics, and 6.7% of runaways (Rotherum-Borus & Koopman, 1992).Incomplete understanding of sexual development has limited our ability to effect public health programs to control teen pregnancies, STDs, or the AIDS epidemic. Biological and behavioral theories have proposed models of sexual development from which these epidemics might be controlled (Hagenhoff, Lowe, Hovell, & Rugg, 1987; Rugg, Hovell, & Franzini, 1989). However, though sexual practice is generally recognized as a function of both biological (e.g., hormonal changes with puberty) and social processes (e.g., peer pressure) (Panzarine & Santelli, 1987), the role of the family in determining sexual development has not been fully investigated. The family plays a key role in the formation of sexual attitudes and behavior by providing role models, a social and economic environment, and norms for sexual conduct (Thornton & Camburn, 1987). Parental and sibling sexual behavior, family structure, socioeconomic status, and religiosity are among the family's contributions to the development of adolescent sexual attitudes and behaviors. The degree to which parents communicate about sexual issues, express love and affection, or set rules to be followed by their adolescent children may influence their children's sexual behavior. Parental influence on sons' sexual behavior is less well studied and may be more subtle than that exerted on daughters' behavior, with male sexuality possibly more influenced by culture (Yarber & Greer, 1986). Family influence probably decreases during the adolescent years and, by college age, the previous impact of parents has probably become insignificant (Yarber & Greer, 1986).Adolescents traditionally report that their parents' role as a source of sexual information is minor; parents typically do not discuss sexual issues with their adolescent children (Hayes, 1987; Roberts & Holt, 1980). Instead, family communication regarding sex consists of rule making and the exercise of authority (Scales & Everly, 1977). Darling and Hicks (1982) found that most parental sexual messages tend to be negative, and convey double standards regarding sons' versus daughters' behaviors. Adolescent sexual attitudes are influenced by the frequency and type of communication that occurs within the family (Akpom, Apkom, & Davis, 1976; Darling & Hicks, 1982; Fisher, 1985; Fox, 1981; McNab, 1976; Rothenberg, 1980; Shelley, 1981). Fox (1981) reported that the frequency of discussions about sex and birth control was highest among those without a high school diploma, women no longer married to the adolescent's father, and those from low-income families. …

Research has shown that Latino parents discuss sexual topics with their children less often than do parents from other ethnic groups; however, communication about sex in Latino families is not well understood. The present study explored the content and process of mother-adolescent communication about sex to better understand how to facilitate communication in urban Latino families. Focus-group interviews were conducted with 63 Latino mother-adolescent pairs in New York City. Latina mothers were able to discuss certain sex-related topics, such as the consequences of sexual activity, but not others, including sexual intercourse and birth control. Adolescents wanted to discuss sexual topics with their mothers, yet most did not because of fears their mothers would assume they were sexually active and would punish them. Our findings suggest that Latino culture and the urban environment play a large role in mother-adolescent conversations about sex. Latina mothers were raised in a culture not supportive of open discussions about sex in the home, yet they recognize the risks their adolescents experience in an urban U.S. environment. The present study provides information on the nature of communication about sex in Latino families and can help tailor interventions aimed at reducing adolescent sexual risk behavior. KEY WORDS: adolescent sexual behavior; Latino families; mother-adolescent communication ********** Adolescents continue to be at risk of the negative outcomes associated with sexual risk behavior. Approximately 840,000 adolescents 15 to 19 years of age become pregnant each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2000a), and each year teenagers account for one-quarter of new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States (CDC, 2000b). Between 2000 and 2003, 13% of HIV cases in 32 states were diagnosed in young people 13 to 24 years old (CDC, 2004). Latino youths may be particularly at risk of these outcomes. Although Latinos represent 13% of the U.S. population, they accounted for 20% of new AIDS cases reported in 2003 (CDC, 2004). Latinos are also less likely to receive preventive care than non-Latinos (Carrillo, Trevino, Betancourt, & Coustasse, 2001; Carter-Pokras & Zambrana, 2001) and have less access to health education, health care, or culturally and linguistically competent health care providers than do white or African Americans (Carrillo et al.; Carter-Pokras & Zambrana). Earlier research has explored parental influences on adolescents' sexual risk behavior, often with a focus on parent--adolescent communication about sex. Although findings have been mixed (for a review of this literature, see Jaccard & Dittus, 1993; Miller, Benson, & Galbraith, 2001), more recent research with improved methodology has found negative associations between parental communication and sexual initiation (East, 1996; Jaccard, Dittus, & Gordon, 1996; Pick & Palos, 1995; Ward & Wyatt, 1994) and number of sexual partners (Holtzman & Robinson, 1995) and positive associations between parental communication and contraceptive and condom use (Whitaker, Miller, May, & Levin, 1999) and communication with sexual partners about condoms (Hutchinson & Cooney, 1998; Shoop & Davidson, 1994; Whitaker et al.). In all of these studies, greater frequency and higher quality of parent-adolescent communication about sex were associated with reduced sexual risk among adolescents. Research on the influence of parent--adolescent communication about sex within Latino families has also yielded inconsistent results. Studies focusing on Latino families have generally depicted less parent-adolescent communication, of both a general and a sex-specific nature, than in families from other ethnic groups (CDC, 1991; Hovell et al., 1994; Hutchinson, 2002; O'Sullivan, Meyer-Bahlburg, & Watkins, 2001). In a study of Latinos between the ages of 18 and 49, nearly half of the respondents reported never talking to their parents about sex (VanOss Marin & Gomez, 1997). …

Quality of Parent–Adolescent Conversations About Sex and Adolescent Sexual Behavior: An Observational Study

Changing adolescents' sexual behaviour: perceived risk, self-efficacy and anticipated regret