title: Building teen power for sexual health.
abstract: Alarming numbers of teens engage in behaviors that place them at risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including AIDS. Intervention studies targeted toward reducing risky sexual behavior and improving school retention and literature about variables that affect risky sexual behavior and school performance were reviewed to develop the Social-Cognitive Model for Sexual Behavior During Adolescence. Interventions that target change in the family and school environments in addition to building the personal capacities of each teen have the potential to be effective. Many environmental factors cannot be altered, but the intervention can help reframe the situation and provide the knowledge, specific skills, role models, and rehearsal that promote change. The 13-week school-based intervention assists students identify how personal strengths and family, school, and neighborhood environmental factors can reinforce health behaviors and choices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Mental Health, and Administrative Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: Marie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Talashek
authors.forename: Kathleen F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Norr
authors.forename: Barbara L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Dancy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017145:Models, Educational; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011209:Power, Psychological; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D012572:School Health Services; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D014504:Urban Health