Social self-efficacy and sexual communication among adolescents in the United States: a cross-sectional study.
Sex Health
; 18(2): 172-179, 2021 05.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33926613
ABSTRACT
Background Sexual communication between partners is associated with safer sex behaviours, including condom use among adolescents. Several studies have found a relationship between negative psychological constructs (e.g. depression, anxiety) and poor sexual communication; however, scant research exists regarding positive psychological constructs and their potential to promote effective sexual communication among adolescents. This study examined the association between a positive construct, social self-efficacy - a person's belief in their ability to successfully manage social relationships - and three components of sexual communication sexual assertiveness, self-efficacy for communication, and frequency of sexual communication with dating partners. METHODS:
Data were collected in a cross-sectional survey from 222 high school girls in a rural school district in the south-eastern United States (Mage = 15.2; 38% White, 29% Latina, 24% Black; 50% were in a dating relationship in the past 3 months). Variables were measured with Likert-type scales. Bivariate correlation and regression analyses were conducted.RESULTS:
Social self-efficacy was significantly positively associated with sexual assertiveness and sexual communication self-efficacy for all girls, and there was a positive trend in the relationship between social self-efficacy and communication frequency among the subsample of girls who had a dating partner. The significant relationship with sexual assertiveness (ß = 0.22, s.e. = 0.07, P = 0.001) and sexual communication self-efficacy (ß = 0.17, s.e. = 0.04, P = 0.013) remained when controlling for sexual activity status.CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening social self-efficacy may enhance girls' sexual communication and assertiveness skills. Future studies are needed to confirm the causal and temporal nature of these associations.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Comportamento Sexual
/
Autoeficácia
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Female
/
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article