Risk Taking as a Predictor of Adolescent Sexual Activity and Use of Contraception
- 1 July 1988
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Adolescent Research
- Vol. 3 (3-4), 317-331
- https://doi.org/10.1177/074355488833007
Abstract
This study tested a risk-taking model of adolescent sexual activity and use of contraception. Longitudinal data were analyzed from a household sample of 1273 unmarried male and female adolescents and young adults. The results indicated that engagement in sexual intercourse and re liability of contraceptive use increased with age throughout adolescence and into young adulthood. Engaging in sexual intercourse among these subjects appeared to reflect a high risk-taking personality profile as de fined by high disinhibition and high impulsivity. Reliable and consistent use of contraception, however, did not appear to relate to this profile. Future research needs to determine other predictors of safe versus unsafe sexual practices.Keywords
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