10/20/2015
Distinguishing Between
Early/Pre-teens Who Did and Did Not
Report Experiencing Sexual
Intercourse
Robert Horn & Joseph Donnelly
Montclair State University
Michael Young
University of Texas - Arlington
Background & Rationale
Kirby & Lepore (2007) reported risk and
protective factors for teen/early sexual activity,
including how reasonable it was that programs
could impact those factors.
- Many of these factors cannot be changed
through programs.
- Beliefs, attitudes, knowledge & skills can.
Purpose
• The purpose of the study was to identify a set
of predictor variables that distinguish
between those in an early teen/pre-teen
population who did and did not report having
experienced sexual intercourse.
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10/20/2015
Method
Participants
Participants were students ages 10-14 (n=3,251)
attending public school in an urban area in
northern New Jersey.
11
13
12
14+
Hispanic/Latino
Male
Black/African American
Female
White
Other
Method
Testing Instrument
The testing instrument was a 30-item self-report
questionnaire. It included items which elicited
information concerning:
- demographics
- educational aspirations
- attitudes regarding sexual behavior/abstinence
- intention of engaging in intercourse
- previous participation in sexual intercourse
Method
Procedure
Participants who had secured parent consent
and who themselves voluntarily agreed to
participate, completed the questionnaire in a
regular classroom setting under adult
administration.
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Method
Data Analysis
SPSS statistical software was used to conduct
frequency counts, chi-square analysis, factor
analysis, and logistic regression.
Results
• 10% of the study participants reported having
engaged in sexual intercourse.
• Older study participants were more likely to
report having participated in sexual
intercourse than were younger study
participants (p<.001).
Results
• Males were more likely to report participation
in sexual intercourse than were females
(p<.001).
• Factor analysis identified six attitude and
intent factors which with age, gender, and a
single educational aspirations factor were
used as predictor variables in a logistic
regression.
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Factor Analysis
• Benefits of Abstinence Factor
Item
Factor Loading
Abst. is the only 100% effective way to avoid
pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
.590
Practicing abstinence is a healthy choice.
.851
I believe there are many benefits of practicing
abstinence.
.837
Factor Analysis
• Success Factor
Item
Factor Loading
The choices that I make now will
affect my possibilities for success.
.774
.774
I am confident that I will graduate
from high school.
Factor Analysis
• Discourage Sex Factor
Item
Factor Loading
.727
Having sex can cause a lot of problems for someone
my age, even if a pregnancy doesn't happen.
I think it is ok to say "no" when someone wants to
touch me in a sexual way.
.711
When it comes to sex, teenagers need to be told
what is ok and what is not ok to do.
.692
I believe that it is ok for kids my age to have sex.
-.688
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Factor Analysis
• Parent Factor
Item
Factor Loading
.759
I have talked about abstinence with
my parent(s)/guardian(s).
I generally have a good relationship
with my parent(s)/guardian(s).
.759
Factor Analysis
• Encourage Abstinence Factor
Item
Factor Loading
.736
Teenagers who engage in sexual activity are at
greater risk of suffering from depression
and/or other emotional problems.
A person who has been sexually active is
able to choose abstinence for the
future.
.736
Factor Analysis
• Intent Factor
Item
Factor Loading
How likely is it that you
will have sex…..
- in the next 12 months?
- before you finish high school?
- before you are married or in
life-long committed relationship?
.815
.907
.820
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Logistic Regression
Variable
Wald
Age
Gender
Educat. Aspirations
Parent Factor
Encourage Abst.
Success Factor
Benefits of Abst.
Discourage Sex
Intent Factor
Probability
17.25
1.43
.03
.18
4.98
.01
4.19
12.94
211.32
<.001
.232
.859
.674
.026
.937
.041
<.001
<.001
Logistic Regression
• 9 variable model
Chi-Sq = 577.40
Probability <.001
Nagelkerke RSq = .447
Age
Gender
Educat. Aspirations
Parent Factor
Encourage Abst.
Success Factor
Benefits of Abst.
Discourage Sex
Intent Factor
Logistic Regression
Variable
Wald
Age
17.25
Encourage Abst.
4.98
Abst. Benefits
4.19
Discourage Sex
12.94
Intent Factor
211.32
Probability
<.001
.026
.041
<.001
<.001
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Logistic Regression
• 5 variable model
Chi-Sq = 689.66
Probability <.001
Nagelkerke RSq = .451
Age
Encourage Abst.
Abst. Benefits
Discourage Sex
Intent Factor
Logistic Regression
Variable
Age
Intent Factor
Wald
21.18
333.50
Probability
<.001
<.001
Logistic Regression
• 2 variable model
Chi-Square = 741.41
Prob <.001
Nagelkerke RSq = .435
Age
Intent Factor
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Discussion
• Data concerning sexual attitudes and
behaviors from a large group of early/preteens is rare and valuable.
• Data show the set of predictor variables
account for a statistically significant and
substantial amount of the variation between
the two groups – those who did and those
who did not – report having experienced
sexual intercourse.
Discussion
• The 9 variable model – RSq = .447
• The 5 variable model – RSq = .451
• The 2 variable model – RSq = .435
Results show the five variable model to be more
useful than the nine variable model, and that
little predictive value is lost with the two
variable model – age and intent.
Discussion
• Age, as expected, makes a unique contribution in
distinguishing those who had & had not had
sexual intercourse.
• Beliefs associated with discouragement of sexual
intercourse appeared to be a protective factor
(more than belief in benefits of abstinence,
concern over future success, parent communic).
• Future intent to have sex also made a unique
contribution to distinguishing those who had and
had not had sexual intercourse.
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• Discourage Sex Factor
Having sex can cause a lot of problems for someone
my age, even if a pregnancy doesn't happen.
When it comes to sex, teenagers need to be told
what is ok and what is not ok to do.
I think it is ok to say "no" when someone wants to
touch me in a sexual way.
I believe that it is ok for kids my age to have sex.
Discussion
• In the two variable model, both age and intent
made unique contributions toward
distinguishing between those who reported
they had experienced, and those who
reported they had not experienced, sexual
intercourse.
Conclusion
• These findings may be of value to those who
work with young people or those who are
developing sexuality education materials for
this age group.
How do we apply
results from studies
such as this to our
work?
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