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A youth development approach to profiling sexual abstinence
Roy F Oman1, Sara K Vesely, Michelle Kegler
1Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, USA. Roy-Oman@ouhsc.edu
American Journal of Health Behavior
|May 20, 2003
Summary
Youth assets are key to sexual abstinence, with influential factors varying by age group. Understanding these age-specific profiles can inform targeted prevention strategies for adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Adolescent sexual activity is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding factors influencing sexual abstinence is crucial for developing effective prevention programs.
- Previous research has explored various demographic and social determinants of adolescent sexual behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify age-group-specific profiles of sexually abstinent youth.
- To examine the roles of demographic factors, youth assets, and community constructs in predicting abstinence.
- To inform the development of tailored interventions for adolescent sexual health.
Main Methods:
- In-person interviews were conducted with 1253 youth from randomly selected inner-city households.
- Classification trees were utilized to analyze the data and develop predictive profiles.
- Data included youth and parent demographics, youth assets (strengths), and community factors.
Main Results:
- Youth assets emerged as the most significant predictors of sexual abstinence.
- Distinct abstinence profiles were identified for different adolescent age groups.
- Demographic and community factors also contributed to abstinence, but their influence varied by age.
Conclusions:
- The factors influencing sexual abstinence in adolescents are not uniform across developmental stages.
- Youth assets play a critical role, highlighting the importance of strengths-based approaches.
- Tailoring prevention strategies to specific age groups and developmental periods is essential for maximizing effectiveness.