Sexual risk attitudes and intentions of youth aged 12-14 years: Survey comparisons of parent-teen prevention and control groups

Regina P. Lederman, Wenyaw Chan, Cynthia Roberts-Gray

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, the authors compared differences in sexual risk attitudes and intentions for three groups of youth (experimental program, n = 90; attention control, n = 80; and nonparticipant control, n = 634) aged 12-14 years. Two student groups participated with their parents in programs focused on strengthening family interaction and prevention of sexual risks, HIV, and adolescent pregnancy. Surveys assessed students' attitudes and intentions regarding early sexual and other health-risk behaviors, family interactions, and perceived parental disapproval of risk behaviors. The authors used general linear modeling to compare results. The experimental prevention program differentiated the total scores of the 3 groups (p < .05). A similar result was obtained for student intentions to avoid sex (p < .01). Pairwise comparisons showed the experimental program group scored higher than the nonparticipant group on total scores (p < .01) and on students' intention to avoid sex (p < .01). The results suggest this novel educational program involving both parents and students offers a promising approach to HIV and teen pregnancy prevention.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)155-166
Number of pages12
JournalBehavioral Medicine
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

Keywords

  • Adolescent pregnancy prevention
  • HIV/STD prevention

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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