CONTRACEPTIVE BEHAVIOR AND ADOLESCENT LIFE-STYLES - A STRUCTURAL MODELING APPROACH

Relations of contraceptive behavior, problem behaviors, and health-pro tective behaviors were examined in an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of sexually active adolescents. First-order latent var iables representing contraceptive use, alcohol use, drug use, aggressi on, delinquency, diet, exercise, seatbelt use, and dental hygiene were established, using multiple observed measures for each latent variabl e. Relations among these first-order latent constructs of contraceptio n, problem behaviors, and health behaviors were examined using second- order confirmatory factor analysis. Three alternative models were comp ared: a second-order factor of problem behavior alone accounting for v ariation in contraceptive use; a second-order factor of health-protect ive behavior alone accounting for variation in contraceptive use; and second-order latent variables of both problem behavior and health-prot ective behavior accounting for variation in contraceptive use. Models including a path between health protection and contraception provided the best fit for the data. The findings demonstrate substantial organi zation among adolescent health and problem behaviors and suggest that contraceptive behavior should be conceptualized within broader domains of behavior.