Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110882

Kelly L'Engle, MPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carroll Hall, CB #3365, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3365, 919-843-5852, kladin@email.unc.edu, Jane Brown, PhD, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carroll Hall, CB #3365, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3365, and Guang Guo, PhD, Sociology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 216 Hamilton Hall, CB# 3210, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.

Purpose. Although sexual activity rates vary between Black and White adolescents, little is known about why these differences exist. In this study, adolescents' sexual self-concepts and sources for sexual information are investigated and related to the initiation of sexual intercourse. Methods. Approximately 1000 Black and White 7th and 8th graders from the Southeastern U.S. completed baseline and two-year follow-up in-home Audio-CASI surveys. Baseline sexual self-concept was indicated by three scales: sexual competency (four items, alpha=.73), sexual desire (four items, alpha=.78), and sexual values (three items, alpha=.81). Baseline discussion of dating, birth control, and STD's was assessed for parents (three items, alpha=.71), favorite school teacher (three items, alpha=.68), and friends (three items, alpha=.73). Learning about dating, birth control, and STD's from the media was assessed with three items each for television, movies, music, and magazines (twelve items, alpha=.87). Results. Black adolescents reported greater sexual competency (t=6.7, p<000) and more permissive sexual values (t=5.2, p<.000), and more parent discussions (t=2.0, p<.05), teacher discussions (t=3.8, p<.000), and learning from the media (t=4.8, p<.000) than Whites. Higher scores on the three sexual self-concept scales predicted increased odds of initiating intercourse by follow-up for Blacks and Whites. More sexual information from friends, teachers, and media predicted increased odds of intercourse at follow-up only for Whites. Conclusions. Although Black and White adolescents report equal sexual desire, Black adolescents are more skilled at negotiating sexuality and relationships, which may explain some increased sexual activity.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will

(
• Understand differences in sexual self-concept and sexual information sources for Black and White adolescents; (
• Have a better understanding of factors that are related to the onset of intercourse during adolescence.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation