Sexual efficacy of adolescents, permissiveness, and the transition toward nonvirginity: From intention to behavior

The current study examines teenage sexual behavior (in terms of having had sexual intercourse) as a function of sexual attitudes and sexual efficacy. At the heart of the study lies the assumption that sexual attitudes such as permissiveness are related to sexual behavior, but that this relation is s tronger for sexually efficacious teenagers than for others. Using longitudi nal data from 253 British adolescents, a structural equation model is teste d and fit. The results provide partial support for the expectations, demons trating the usefulness of sexual efficacy in predicting sexual behavior. Li mitations and implications of the study are discussed.