@article{ref1,
title="Initiation of sexual intercourse among middle school adolescents: the influence of psychosocial factors",
journal="Journal of Adolescent Health",
year="2004",
author="Santelli, John S. and Kaiser, Javaid and Hirsch, Lesley and Radosh, Alice and Simkin, Linda and Middlestadt, Susan",
volume="34",
number="3",
pages="200-208",
abstract="PURPOSE: To explore potential psychosocial predictors for initiation of sexual intercourse among middle-school, inner-city youth, using longitudinal data from the Healthy and Alive! project. METHODS: We conducted hierarchical, logistic regression with adjustment for intraclass correlation over two sequential periods, including seventh and eighth grades (N = 3163), to assess the independent influence of psychosocial and demographic factors. Internally reliable scales to assess psychosocial influences were created, based on major theories of behavior. The sample was 52% female, 51% black, 30% Hispanic, 9% white, and 3% Asian. At baseline, 13% of girls and 39% of boys reported already having initiated sexual intercourse. RESULTS: Personal and perceived peer norms about refraining from sex were a strong and consistent protective factor. Alcohol and other drug use, poor academic performance, male gender, and black race were consistent risk factors. Self-efficacy showed a mixed effect: protective in the seventh grade but increasing risk in the eighth grade. Speaking a language other than English was a protective factor in seventh grade. Both psychosocial and demographic factors provided independent explanatory power. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial factors, particularly norms about having sex, influence initiation of sexual intercourse. These data suggest that programs to delay initiation of sexual intercourse should reinforce norms about refraining from sex.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1054-139X",
doi="10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.06.004",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.06.004"
}