Collegiate Women's Definitions of Responsible Sexual Behavior.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sexual Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Responsible sexual behavior (RSB) is key for reducing unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Existing RSB definitions lack adult women's perspectives, potentially limiting intervention effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and define responsible sexual behavior (RSB) from the perspective of college women.
• To inform the development of more effective sexual health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative data collected through interviews with college women.
• Part of a larger mixed-methods study on college women and unintended pregnancy.

Main Results:

• Women define RSB as self-advocacy aligned with personal goals and values.
• Key actions include mindful partner selection, boundary communication, and pregnancy prevention.
• Awareness of consequences threatening personal goals is central to women's RSB definitions.

Conclusions:

• Understanding women's perspectives on RSB is crucial for effective public health strategies.
• Findings align with prior research emphasizing risk management and purposeful decision-making in responsible behavior.