Risk and protective factors associated with adolescent sexual activity

Abstract

Research has documented that adolescent sexual activity can have numerous consequences including the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and the occurrence of early childbearing (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1994). Two theoretical perspectives, Richard Jessor's Problem Behavior Theory (1977) and Urie Bronfrenbrenner's Ecological System's Theory, have argued that a highly complex set of interactions are involved in the existence of human behaviors. These theories were used to test a model of risk and protective factors associated with adolescent sexual activity. This study used structural equation modeling to investigate the relationship between family interaction/bonding, family income, academic achievement, self-esteem, substance use, and sexual activity in adolescence. Data were collected during the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) conducted by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Adolescents from selected schools were asked to fill out an, in-school questionnaire and participate in an in-home interview. Parents were also asked to participate in the in-home interview. Data for the current study came from the public use data set of 6,504 adolescents in grades 7th-12th, with approximately 88 percent of cases having parent questionnaire data. This data was used to test one theoretical model of risk and protection on two samples: 7th-8th grade adolescents and 9th-12th grade adolescents. The model fit the 7th-8th grade sample best, however, results for both samples support the theory that a set of complex multi-level factors influence sexual activity. The distal level factors of family interaction/bonding and family economic status/neighborhood perception were indirectly, but significantly associated with sexual activity for both samples. Results indicate that a higher level of family interaction/bonding, as well as, higher family economic status & neighborhood perception are protective factors against early sexual activity. Self-esteem was only significantly associated with sexual activity for the younger adolescent group; while academic achievement was only significant for the 9th-12th grade sample. In both models they were protective factors, decreasing the likelihood of early sexual activity. Only substance use was significantly associated with sexual activity for both samples as a risk factor.