OLDER ADOLESCENTS ENGAGEMENT IN CASUAL SEX - IMPACT OF RISK PERCEPTION AND PSYCHOSOCIAL MOTIVATIONS

The relationship between attitudes for casual ser and casual sex behav ior was investigated for a group of older adolescents between the ages of 17 and 19. In addition, factors that influence casual sex orientat ions were studied. Models of behavior that emphasize disease issues as a primary determinant of casual sex behavior were compared with model s that emphasize a broader range of social-psychological motivations. Results showed that the relationship between attitudes and behavior wa s stronger for females than males. In addition, disease-related variab les were found to be correlated with behavior in a direction opposite to what traditional disease models would predict The results were inte rpreted in the context of a behavioral inference model. It was found t hat casual sex behavior is more heavily influenced by a broad range of social-psychological motivations as compared to disease-based variabl es. Implications for educational interventions were developed.