Programs to reduce problems associated with sexual intercourse among adolescents may be fostered by tailoring where sexual status categories may provide markers for intervention. Purposes of this study were: (1) to expand Miller and Clark’s sexual behavior typology examining whether delayers and anticipators existed among virgins, single and multiple partner categories; (2) to determine whether the typologies could help to identify characteristics that could assist intervention. A secondary data analysis from the Alabama Adolescent Survey (1998) examined older adolescents (15-17 years of age). Males (N=582) were 80% Caucasian and three-quarters lived with both parents. Females (N=817) were 68% Caucasian and two-thirds lived with two parents. Membership in typology categories were:(F/M Delayers:Anticipators) Virgin 50/46%: 6/10%, One partner 11/10% : 16/14%, Multi-partner 7/6% : 10/14%. Almost 50% were virgin delayers and 15% of the sexually experienced classified themselves as delayers. Almost one in ten virgins intended to become sexually active. Over one quarter of all the students anticipated continued sexual intercourse. Comparisons (.01) of attitudes toward sexual intercourse showed that the most positive attitudes were among virgin anticipators, with the most conservative among virgin delayers. Programs fostering sexual delay among delayers should focus on maintaining norms and attitudes refraining from sexual intercourse initiation. For anticipators, programs should focus on re-directing attitudes and norms that are fostering sexual initiation. Sexually experienced adolescents may be in a delay phase and continued messages fostering delay may extend this delay phase.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Adolescents, Sexuality
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.