Latina adolescents: predicting intentions to have sex.
This study utilized the theory of reasoned action to examine how Latina adolescents' intentions to have sex in the coming month were influenced by their general attitude toward having sex and their perceptions of general social norms about having sex. Eighty-four Mexican American and Central American adolescent females ages 14 to 19 participated in telephone interviews. One group of 41 Mexican American adolescents was obtained through a telephone survey and the second group of 43 pregnant or parenting Mexican American and Central American adolescents was recruited from health clinics. Path analysis conducted separately for the two groups indicated that, for the clinic group, perceptions of general social norms, but not general attitude, predicted intentions to have sex; and for the survey group, whether they were sexually active directly predicted perceptions of general social norms and intention to have sex. Adolescents' perceptions of what significant others desired of them, but not their motivation to comply, predicted perceptions of general social norms about having sex. Results underscore the importance of social norms for Latina adolescents when they are considering whether or not to have sex.
Flores
Elena
E
School of Education, Counseling Psychology Department, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton St., San Francisco, California 94117, USA.
Tschann
Jeanne M
JM
Marin
Barbara VanOss
BV
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013781:Texas