Gender differences in adolescent sexual attitudes: the influence of individual and family factors

The present study, continuing a recent trend, examined multiple influences on adolescent sexuality, focusing on sexual attitudes because of their influence on sexual behavior. Empirical analyses were based on a nonrandom availability sample of 1,587 public high school students and 1,372 parents. Multiple regression analyses were conducted in three phases to elaborate models for adolescent attitudes about premarital sexual intercourse; separate models were developed for females and males. First, a regression model was developed that featured individual adolescent characteristics (e.g., age, gender, locus of control, self-esteem, and religious participation) as predictor variables. A second regression model was developed that included family characteristics (e.g., number of siblings, number of parents in home, communication with mother and father, family strengths, parent contribution to sexuality education, parental discussion of sexual values, and the sexual attitudes of mother and father). In the final step, multiple regression was conducted on both individual and family factors. Results indicated that (1) the integrated model had more explanatory power than either separate model, and (2) females were influenced by more family factors and males were influenced by more individual factors.     

Predicting male and female contraceptive behavior: A discriminant analysis of groups high, moderate, and low in contraceptive effectiveness.

An exploratory, multivariate study assessed (a) whether 3 contraceptive-effectiveness groups (high, moderate, and low) could be differentiated on the basis of variables that have been theoretically and empirically associated with contraceptive behavior and (b) whether an identified set of discriminating variables could accurately classify sexually active college students into these groups. 211 male and 154 female sexually active, never-married undergraduates completed instruments measuring variables related to contraception. Four separate discriminant analyses were performed, 1 for each sex for both their initial sexual encounter and their current sexual interactions. Discrimination and classification of the 3 contraceptive groups for both males' and females' initial sexual experience was not very successful. Moderate discrimination was achieved for the female current sexual activity subsample, and good discrimination and classification were made for the currently sexually active male subsample. Results are discussed in terms of the implications of the findings for understanding contraceptive behavior of males and females, problems with the dependent variable of contraceptive use, and the mounting evidence that emotional orientation to sexuality influences contraceptive behavior. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parent–adolescent dialogues about AIDS.

Little is known about the socialization of compassion, intimacy, sexuality, and risk management within family contexts. In this study, the authors observed parents and young adolescents (N?=?140 dyads) in Grades 6–8 during structured communication tasks focused on AIDS. Communication styles were compared across gender pairings, and their relations with AIDS-related knowledge, worry, and stigmatizing attitudes were examined. Parents were more mutual with daughters and more directive toward sons. Girls were more mutual and expressive than boys, whereas boys were more withdrawn. Father–son dyads were particularly distinctive. Student stigmatizing attitudes were associated with low levels of both positive engagement in students and support from parents during the interaction. Discussion focused on family relations during early adolescence and implications for family involvement in AIDS prevention efforts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reproductive health in adolescent students: knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in both sexes, in a community of Santiago

Nine hundred forty eight teenagers (600 females) from a public school of one of the poorest communities of Santiago were surveyed about knowledge and practices on sexuality and reproductive health. Twenty four percent of females and 40% of males did not talk about their problems at home, instead they talked preferentially with their friends. Half of the sample attributed a risk a pregnancy to the first sexual intercourse; 67% did not know the infertile phase of the menstrual cycle and 20% did not identify two sexually transmitted diseases. Sixty percent considered rhythm technique as a safe fertility control method, 60% of males and 50% of females considered masturbation as risky, 57% of males and 49% of females estimated that condoms could be reused and between 5 and 16% of the sample correctly identified AIDS modes of transmission. Fifty percent had a couple and 23% of males and 17% of females had a sexual intercourse in the last six months; of these, 45% of women and 27% of men used a contraceptive method. Four percent of women and 6% of men became involved in a pregnancy and 57% of these terminated in abortions. It is concluded that knowledge about sexuality and reproductive biology among low income teenagers is scanty.     

Prognostic value of dipyridamole thallium-201 screening to minimize perioperative cardiac complications in diabetics undergoing kidney or kidney-pancreas transplantation

A survey of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding human immunodeficiency virus infection was performed on 899 students from 3 government-administered high schools located in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. Initially, all students completed a written questionnaire (pre-test) regarding HIV/AIDS. Following this, they attended a slide lecture presentation given by a specialist physician. The same test questionnaire was then completed by the same students six weeks (post-test) later for comparison of their previous KAP. The subjects composed of male to female ratio equal to that of the median age 15-16 years old. Sixty-seven per cent of the subjects were living with their parents, 16.3 per cent with relatives and 15 per cent with friends. Ninety nine per cent of the subjects had received information on HIV/AIDS before enrollment to this study. The source of knowledge ranged from television (89.1%), teachers (81.6%), pamphlets (80.2%), newspapers (75%), radio (55%), health care workers (53.4%), friends (38.6%) and only 32.5 per cent from their parents. The subjects' knowledge about HIV/AIDS and risk factors in the post-test questionnaire was significantly increased (P < 0.001) from the pre-test status. However, their attitudes to an HIV infected person were not significantly changed in the post-test questionnaire: only the "attending school" question showed significantly (P < 0.05) increased numbers of agreement. Similarly, the attitudes and practices to prevent HIV infection were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between pre-test and post-test questionnaires. The result of this study is to recommend regular school-based programs of education to increase awareness of preventive strategies for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.     

Social anxiety, sexual behavior, and contraceptive use.

170 female and 90 male college students completed a questionnaire that provided information regarding their sexual experience, knowledge, and attitudes; their self-evaluations on dimensions related to sexuality; and their level of heterosocial anxiety (anxiety experienced in social interactions with members of the other sex). Compared with Ss low in heterosocial anxiety, highly anxious Ss were less sexually experienced, engaged in sexual activity less frequently, had fewer sexual partners, were less likely to have engaged in oral sex, expressed a higher degree of apprehension about sex, and had a somewhat higher incidence of sexual dysfunctions. In addition, low socially anxious women tended to use the pill, whereas highly anxious women preferred the condom. High and low heterosocially anxious Ss also differed on self-ratings related to their sexuality but did not differ in their attitudes or knowledge regarding sex. Results are discussed in terms of the cognitive, behavioral, and affective concomitants of social anxiety. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of Masculine and Feminine Personality Attributes and Sex-Role Attitudes Across Age Groups.

Scores on the Masculinity (M) and Femininity scales of the Personal Attributes Questionnaire were compared in male and female high school students, college students, parents of elementary school children, and parents of college students. Significant age trends occurred only for males on M. Scores on the Attitudes Toward Women Scale suggested that females were more liberal than males and students more liberal than parents of college students. The two sets of results are explained in terms of the differential sex-role expectations and life experiences of males and females. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contraception for the under 16s: better safe than sorry

This study concerns the opinions of family planning clinic clients on the availability of contraception for adolescents under 16 years of age. The 1978 British statistics indicated that 1300 babies were born to girls under 16, while in France 3000 babies were born. A 1965 study by Schofield of sexual attitudes and behavior of 15-19 year olds in Britain found that experienced girls were as sexually active as experienced boys. He also found that 54% of sexually experienced boys never used a contraceptive and 65% of experienced girls did not insist on contraceptive use. Furthermore, sex education was found to be in heavy demand by adolescents, but that the demand was not being met. This and other studies suggest that adolescent children behave sexually although there is a marked reluctance to admit to it. The questionnaire study of opinions involved 60 British subjects ranging from 15-58 years of age. The mean age was 27, and age at marriage ranged from 16-36 years. The age at leaving home ranged from 13-32 years. Information was gathered on the onset of sexual activity, contraceptive habits, an evaluation of sexuality, and views on abortion, and premarital sexual intercourse. The results indicate that: 1) age at 1st intercourse ranged from 13-28 years with a mean age of 18, 2) age at 1st marriage was at a mean of 21 years, but at this age a drop in frequency of 1st intercourse occurred, 3) 14 of the 60 had not had premarital intercourse, 4) 60% of all subjects used contraception at the time of 1st intercourse, with 31.5% between 20-30 years of age using contraception, 5) the most careful contraceptive users were those who became sexually active over the age of 21, 6) 40.5% considered their sex life to be very important while 53.4% felt it was fairly important, 7) 48.9% considered their sex life to be completely fulfilling and 48.9% felt it to be satisfactory, 8) 49% favored premarital intercourse, 41.9% favored it if it was right for the girl, while 3% felt it was acceptible if the couple was engaged, and 5.4% were totally against it, 9) 62% felt abortion was the right of every woman and 31.1% felt it was acceptible if the physical or mental well being of the mother was at risk, 10) 40.9% agreed with the British Medical Association policy on teenage contraception which advises doctors to encourage under 16's to tell their parents, but if they refuse, the doctor can still prescribe the pill, 11) 22.7% wanted contraception unconditionally available, 18.2% felt it should be dependent on parental knowledge, and 17% said it should not be available, 12) there was a trend for opinions to become less liberal as age increased, and 13) young girls appear to be less conscientious in using contraception than older women.     

Childhood sexually transmitted diseases and child sexual abuse: results of a Canadian survey of three professional groups

The purpose of this national survey was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of Canadian health and social services professionals about the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in children and its implications for child sexual abuse. A mailed questionnaire was sent to a randomly selected sample of 4,500 nurses, physicians, and youth/social workers across the country. Response rates varied from over 60% of nurses and youth/social workers to only 38% of the physicians. Nurses and youth/social workers were younger than physicians, had a proportionately higher number of females within their groups, and more frequently reported that they had or might have been sexually abused as children. Although there was no statistically significant difference among the groups on the composite knowledge score, physicians scored higher than the other two groups on knowledge about STDs, and youth/social workers had the highest knowledge scores about sexual abuse. Some differences in attitudes among the groups were also noted. Overall, the rates of respondents reporting confidence in their ability to treat children with STDs or child sexual abuse were low (26% and 35% respectively). This paper presents the overall results of the survey, and makes recommendations for strategies to enhance professional expertise in the area.     

A graduating medical school class evaluates their educational experience

CONTEXT: Comparatively little is known about how U.S. adult men's attitudes and characteristics influence their decision to use contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and to take actions to protect themselves from infection with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). METHODS: Attitudinal and background data on 1,595 men from the 1991 and 1993 waves of the National Survey of Men (NSM) were used, through logistic regression techniques, to predict the likelihood of current contraceptive use to prevent pregnancy and recent efforts to avoid STD infection among men in three types of sexual relationship--marriage, cohabitation and dating. RESULTS: At the 1993 interview, 58% of men were using contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and 22% had recently taken actions to protect themselves from STDs. Men's concern about how easy a method was to use reduced the likelihood of STD protection, but had no influence on contraceptive use to prevent pregnancy; however, concerns about a method's risks to the female partner increased the likelihood of both outcomes. Couples in which the man expected his partner to take primary responsibility for contraception were 40% as likely to be protecting themselves against STDs as were couples in which the man believed he shared or had greater responsibility. Married men were the least likely to be protecting themselves against STDs, whereas men who were dating were the most likely to do so. CONCLUSIONS: Men's attitudes and characteristics were important predictors of contraceptive use to prevent pregnancy and of efforts to protect against STDs, even after controls for the female partner's characteristics were entered in the analysis. The findings emphasize the need to include men in interventions aimed at reducing unintended pregnancy and STD transmission.     

Understanding gender differences in adolescent sexuality

More than 1,800 junior high school students were surveyed regarding sexual activity. It was found that females were less likely to have "ever had sex" but among nonvirgins there was little gender difference in frequency or recency. Items measuring sexual values indicated greater commitment to abstinence and less permissive sexual attitudes among females. Females also saw sexual activity as more detrimental to future goal attainment. They viewed parents as less approving, but were more likely to discuss sex and dating practices with them. They reported parents as having more rules and were more likely to believe that they were unfair, and that they had gone against the parents' rules. Females perceived less peer pressure for sex and more support for waiting. However, more males anticipated partner pressure for sex and believed they might "have sex" before marriage. Males and females reported no difference in the importance of parenthood, but more females saw teen parenthood as a problem. No gender differences were found for smoking or drinking. Significantly more males had experienced petting behavior. Females were more likely to believe that sexual urges can be controlled. It was concluded that understanding these differences can help in the design of sex education and social programs to address problems associated with adolescent sexuality.     

Sexual Experiences Survey: Reliability and validity.

Explored the veracity of self-reported sexual experiences as relayed by university students (242 females and 144 males) on a sexual experience survey that was completed once privately and a 2nd time in the presence of an interviewer. The Ss were selected from a group of 4,000 students to represent all degrees of exposure to sexual aggression and sexual victimization. Of the female Ss (mean age 21.3 yrs), 86% were single, 92% were White, and 25% were in each year of college study. Of the male Ss (mean age 21.7 yrs), 89% were single, 87% were White, and 25% were in each year of college study. Female Ss were classified as nonvictimized, sexually coerced, sexually abused, or sexually assaulted. Male Ss were classified as nonsexually aggressive, sexually aggressive, sexually abusive, or sexually assaultive. The Pearson correlation between female Ss' level of victimization (LOV) based on self-report and her LOV based on responses as related to the interviewer was .73. Among the 62 females whose self-reports suggested that they were rape victims, only 2 changed their responses. The LOV correlation between male Ss' responses was .61. Results reveal a tendency for males to deny behaviors during interviews that had been revealed on self-reports. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conference report. Bioengineering in the millennium. National Institute of Health symposium bioengineering--building the future of biology and medicine

Reducing the Risk is a theory-based, sexuality education curriculum shown to influence the knowledge and behaviors of secondary students. This study determined whether the behavioral effects of the curriculum could be duplicated in a southern, rural state. In a quasiexperimental design, pretest and posttest inventories were administered to students in treatment and comparison groups to determine the influence of Reducing the Risk on sexual behaviors. Results of the 18-month study indicated students receiving the curriculum significantly delayed initiating sexual intercourse. Sexually active students in the treatment group were significantly more likely to protect themselves from STD/HIV and pregnancy than sexually active students in the comparison group. In addition, students receiving Reducing the Risk showed a significant increase in parent-child communication about sexual issues. These results reinforce previous research that found positive behavioral effects for students receiving the Reducing the Risk curriculum.     

Family planning centers in France: health resource centers for adolescents and young adults

Family planning centres can play a more extensive role than simple reproductive health, in particular for adolescents and young adults. They can become true health and counseling centres. In France, state supported family planning centres were officially created in 1972; they had been preceded by initiatives developed by non-profit associations. The centres have both educational and medical functions, in the areas of contraception and fight against sterility; since 1990 they have also integrated STD (sexually transmitted diseases) prevention and treatment into their mandates. Family planning centres offer free consultations to adolescent minors, without requiring adult authorization. Overall, young people under the age of 20 account for 25 to 40% of the family planning centre clientele, although they represent only 16% of the potential user population. Females are more likely to frequent the centres than males: one young women in 10 under 20 consults per year, as opposed to only one young man in 400. This is the case for 3 centres in the north of France, which were the objects of the study presented here. In the centres participating in the study, 80% of the clientele were under 20, with the vast majority being under 128 years of age. The availability of contraceptive devices has evidently reduced the reasons for frequenting the centres. As 1 youth in 4 is not yet sexually active however, the preventive role for these centres is obvious and well recognised by the young people. The study indicated that one adolescent among 17 frequents the centres for either health problems or counseling not necessarily having to do with sexuality; some go merely to find someone to talk to. Reasons for these choices most often cited are the assurance of confidentiality and lack of fees. The availability of counsellors, the possibility to consult alone or in a group the possibility to consult without an appointment, the quality of the reception, and the central location of the centres were also cited as important. What the young people appreciated in the family planning centres is exactly what they seek in general health service centres. It is not surprising, therefore, that they use the family planning centres as primary care structures.     

Sexual attitudes and experience: Attitude and personality correlates and changes produced by a course in sexuality.

Administered a battery of personality and sexual experience and attitude tests (e.g., the Suppression of Sex scale from the Parental Attitude Research Instrument, M. Zuckerman's Heterosexual and Homosexual Experience scales, I. L. Reiss's Social and Emotional Relationship scales, the Sensation-seeking Scale, the Personality Research Form, and the Personal Orientation Inventory) to 224 male and 331 female undergraduates enrolled in either a human sexuality or a personality psychology course (control). Males were more permissive in attitudes and had experience with a greater number of partners than females. Attitudes and experience were more highly related in females. Ss in the sex course were more permissive and experienced that Ss in the control course. The sexuality course appeared to have changed attitudes in both sexes, but changed behavior only in males, relative to changes in the control group. Religious attitudes and personality correlates of sexual attitudes and experience are reported; in general, sexual permissiveness and expression correlated with self-actualizing tendencies, particularly in females. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impact of demographics, sexual history, and psychological functioning on the acquisition of STDS in adolescents

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are associated with significant morbidities for adolescents. This study sought to determine the relationship of demographic characteristics, sexual history, and psychological characteristics to actual acquisition of STD. Adolescents were recruited from their source of primary care: 44 males and 88 females matched on age and race. A series of logistic regression analyses were used to determine which of the independent variables were significantly associated with self-reported STD occurrences. When age, race, and gender were pretested, older age and being female were found to be associated with more episodes. The final model consisted of older age, female gender, greater number of lifetime partners, perceived greater frequency of STDs among adolescents in general, less negative feelings about STD acquisition, and being less likely to believe your friends would think you were bad. The findings indicate that acquisition of an STD is related to the demographic characteristics of age and gender, as well as to the number of lifetime partners and attitudes about STD acquisition. This information can be used to develop intervention programs.     

Sexual attitudes and self-reported behavior of congenitally disabled adults.

A 1–3 hr personal interview was conducted and a questionnaire was administered to 45 18–35 yr old physically disabled Ss. The questionnaire dealt with (a) attitudes towards pornography, masturbation, and other aspects of sexuality; (b) degree of personal interest in sex; and (c) the extent and form of Ss' intimate sexual behavior. Results indicate that while Ss tended to express liberal attitudes toward sexuality, they did not indicate a high degree of personal interest in sex. Nearly all of the Ss were unmarried, and over half had never had a serious relationship with the opposite sex or any intimate sexual experience. There were indications that many Ss were uninformed about sexual matters. Ss' negative attitudes toward sex could be attributed to restrictive living conditions and insufficient sex education and guidance. As a group, females expressed more conservative attitudes toward sexuality than did males. Findings suggest the need for reorientation on the part of parents, educators, and society toward recognizing and accepting the emotional and sexual needs of disabled persons. (French summary) (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The birds and the bees: an analysis of advice given to parents through the popular press

There is a growing need for parents to communicate with their adolescents about sexuality, as teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise. Many parents indicate that they lack information and feel uncomfortable communicating with their children about sex. The popular press regularly publishes articles on parenting issues, including how to discuss sex. In this study, 26 articles from 1984 to 1993 were reviewed, and the tone, quality of information, and advice given to parents on how to communicate were analyzed. The articles reflected current research regarding parent-child sexual communication and provided much more detailed advice about how best to approach the topic with an adolescent. However, readership seemed to be primarily white and mothers in traditional families, and little advice was offered on how to handle more difficult issues, such as contraception and AIDS. The findings suggest that the popular press could serve as an informational vehicle for educating both youth and parents about sexuality and how to have productive discussions regarding this issue.     

Sex differences in the correlates of stimulus seeking.

Conducted 5 experiments to correlate Zuckerman, Kolin, Price, and Zoob's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) with other variables, e.g., scores on the Rokeach Dogmatism Scale. Ss included 518 college and high school students of both sexes and a sample of their parents (n = 341), 40 male general psychiatric patients, and 62 male alcoholic patients. Results were analyzed in terms of differences in the correlates for the total sample by sex, and differences in SSS scores for parents and their children. In males, the SSS was positively related to academic aptitude and liberal sexual attitudes, and was negatively related to authoritarianism, dogmatism, and passive food preferences. In females, the SSS was positively related to liberal sexual attitudes and negatively related to passive food preferences and to an insignificant degree to authoritarianism. SSS scores of male and female high school students showed a modest tendency to resemble those of their parents. (26 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)