The role of sexual self-concept in the use of contraceptives.
Sexual self-concept--defined as an individual's evaluation of his or her own sexual feelings and actions--is proposed as an important predictor of contraceptive behavior among teenagers, and a scale measuring the concept is described. In exploratory analyses among university students, sexual self-concept is found to be associated with frequency of contraceptive use and use at most recent intercourse. It is also associated with their choice of contraceptive--students who had used prescription methods at last coitus had significantly higher scores on the sexual self-concept scale than did those who had used nonprescription methods or no method. These findings, together with the finding from analysis among high school students that sexual self-concept appears to improve with age, suggest that younger teenagers may be poorer users of contraceptives because of a lower sexual self-concept. Counseling and sex education that address social and psychological issues may help improve adolescent contraceptive practice by addressing teenagers' views of their own sexuality.
Family Planning Council of Central Pennsylvania, Camp Hill.
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Winter
D000293:Adolescent; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior