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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Diana Bensyl, PhD¹, Sara Vesely, PhD², Roy Oman, PhD², Sharon Rodine³, Cheryl Aspy, PhD², Trisha Mueller, MPH⁴, and Eleni Tolma, PhD². (1) OWCD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-92, Atlanta, GA 30084, 4044986153, dbensyl@cdc.gov, (2) College of Public Health, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, 900 NE 10th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, (3) OICA, 420 NW 13th, Oklahoma City, OK 73103, (4) NCCDPHP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS K-22, Atlanta, GA 30341

Abstinence-only programs have gained widespread attention, and programs often include a virginity pledge. These are public or personal commitments made to remain a virgin until marriage. The focus is on sexual intercourse and does not include a commitment to refrain from other sexual activities. Few studies have examined virginity pledges, the type of pledge (public or personal), and involvement in sexual activities. This study examined associations between public and personal pledges and self-reported sexual intercourse, oral sex, and petting behaviors of youth. Data were collected from the Youth Asset Study, a longitudinal study of youth (N=1,096; mean age: 14.4; 52% female; 43% white) to investigate associations between youth assets and risk behaviors. In-person, in-home interviews were used for data collection. A total of 502 youth reported taking a type of virginity pledge (35% of males compared with 58% of females [p<.001]). Public pledgers were 50% female; personal pledgers were 63% female; and those who did both were 70% female (p<.05). Of those making a pledge, 99 (20%) had had sex. For those who took a public pledge, 24 (52%) had had sex; for personal pledges, 56 (20%) had had sex; and for both, 19 (11%) had had sex. Differences were statistically significant (p<.001). Of 399 pledgers who had not had sex but reported other sexual activity, 5% engaged in oral sex, and 12% reported petting. Understanding associations with virginity pledges and sexual activity can inform policymakers about appropriate use of pledges in conjunction with abstinence-only and other sexual education programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about types of virginity pledges.
• Discuss virginity pledge type and its association with sexual activity.
• Describe demographics of youth who take a virginity pledge.

Keywords: Youth, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.pdf format, 2188.6 kb)