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.
Winter
L
L
Family Planning Council of Central Pennsylvania, Camp Hill.
D000293:Adolescent; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior