Social cognitive correlates of sexual experience and condom use among 13-through 15-year-old adolescents

Purpose: To examine the role of self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and pe rception of peer attitudes in the delay of onset of sexual activity among 1 3- through 15-year-old adolescents. We also explored the role of self-effic acy, outcome expectancies, and perception of friends' condom use behavior i n explaining the use of condoms among sexually active adolescents. Methods: This study was part of a larger cross-sectional study to evaluate personal characteristics and maternal factors associated with early initiat ion of sexual intercourse. Mothers and adolescents were recruited from a co mmunity-based organization that offered afterschool and summer programs for youth. Enrollment was limited to adolescents aged 13-15 years and their mo thers. Mothers and adolescents completed separate interviews. For adolescen ts, the interviews included the assessment of the variables in the present study. Each interview lasted about 60 min and was conducted by a trained in terviewer. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression a nalysis. The average age of the 405 adolescent participants was 13.86 years , and approximately 30% of them had engaged in sexual intercourse. Slightly more than half (56%) of participants were male, and 82% were African-Ameri can. Results: Participants who were less likely to believe that their friends fa vored intercourse for adolescents and who held more favorable attitudes abo ut the personal benefits of abstaining from sex were less likely to have in itiated sexual intercourse. Among sexually active adolescents, those who ex pressed confidence in putting on a condom, and in being able to refuse sex with a sexual partner, and who expressed more favorable outcome expectancie s associated with using a condom were more likely to use condoms consistent ly. Conclusions: Human immunodeficiency virus and pregnancy prevention programs should emphasize peer influences in both the initiation of sexual intercou rse and the use of safer sex practices among sexually active adolescents, a s well as personal attitudes about consequences to self and confidence in n egotiating safer sex practices with one's partner. (C) Society for Adolesce nt Medicine, 2001.