NCJ Number
161383
Journal
Journal of Correctional Health Care Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1995) Pages: 113-135
Date Published
1995
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study explored perceptions of incarcerated adolescents about reasons for abstinence, safe sex, and unsafe sexual behavior; the study sample included 50 male and 8 female volunteers who were incarcerated in a juvenile correctional facility in a midwestern State and who ranged in age from 13 to 18 years.
Abstract
Nearly all participants reported having had sexual intercourse and 40 percent claimed to have had 20 or more partners. Frequency of condom use varied widely, with only 16 percent stating they always used condoms. Participants completed a questionnaire focusing on their expectations about the likely outcome of a scenario in which a couple had the opportunity for sexual intercourse and their perceptions of reasons for the scenario to end in abstinence, intercourse with a condom, or unprotected intercourse. Most respondents (75 percent) expected the scenario to end in unprotected intercourse. In general, participants seemed to believe that, compared to males, female sexual decisionmaking was more likely to be influenced by pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, by wanting to be responsible, and by issues related to the relationship. Content analysis of their perceptions of reasons for various endings suggested three important influences on sexual behavior: pleasure, avoidance of fear, and condom availability. Intervention strategies based on awareness of these influences are discussed, particularly with regard to motivational aspects of fear, the development of a capacity to think about positive consequences of safe sex, and gender role expectations. 29 references and 7 tables