Personal and family factors associated with virginity among African American male and female high school students

Most research on adolescent sexuality tends to focus on adolescents who have already initiated sexual intercourse. Less research has been conducted to identify factors associated with non-initiation of sexual intercourse and what, if any, differences exist in these factors based on gender. In 2004, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 744 African American 10th and 12th grade students attending three high schools in Columbia, South Carolina. Thirty-nine percent of female students and twenty-five percent of male students were consistent responders to two items indicating that they had not initiated sexual intercourse (or were “virgins”). A series of personal and family factors were analyzed to determine which, if any, were significantly associated with virginity among these youth. Personal factors associated with virginity were beliefs about when sexual intercourse was appropriate for girls and boys, perceived social norms regarding involvement in sexual intercourse among girls and boys at their school, and perceived risk behaviors of their closest friends. Involvement in church/religious programs and services was significantly associated with virginity in males only. Family factors associated with virginity were family type, family communication about waiting to have sex, parental monitoring, parental rules, and family involvement in their school. However, different family factors were significantly associated with virginity among males and females. This session will discuss which personal and family factors were the greatest predictors of virginity among African American male and female high school students, as well as implications of these results for reproductive health programs targeting these youth and/or their families.