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Sexual self-concept and sexual risk-taking

G M Breakwell1, L J Millward

  • 1Social Psychology European Research Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, U.K.

Journal of Adolescence
|February 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary
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Adolescent sexual self-concept differs by gender, influencing health risk behaviors. Understanding these differences is key to developing effective health strategies for young people.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Adolescent sexual identity development is complex and influenced by societal gender norms.
  • Existing models of adolescent health behaviors may not fully capture the role of sexual self-concept.
  • Understanding gendered differences in sexual self-perception is crucial for targeted health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the structural differences between male and female sexual self-concept in adolescents.
  • To investigate the relationship between dimensions of sexual self-concept and health risk-taking behaviors.
  • To inform models of adolescent health behavior by incorporating self-concept and social representational processes.

Main Methods:

  • A postal survey of 474 randomly selected adolescents (16-19 years old) in a UK suburban area.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Utilized a 14-item Sexual Self-Concept Checklist to assess male and female sexual identities.
  • Constructed internally reliable scales for identified dimensions of sexual self-concept.

    • Main Results:

    • Male sexual self-concept showed socio-emotional and relational dimensions; females focused on assertiveness.
    • Higher relational emphasis in males correlated with less sexual activity and lower substance use.
    • Higher female assertiveness correlated with earlier sexual initiation, more partners, and higher substance use, but not condom use.

    Conclusions:

    • Adolescent health behavior models should integrate the significance of behaviors for self-concept.
    • Dominant social representations of gender significantly influence the structure of sexual self-concept.
    • Comprehensive models of adolescent health behavior require consideration of both identity and social representational processes.