"It drives us to do it": pregnant adolescents identify drivers for sexual risk-taking.
BACKGROUND
Sexual risk-taking behaviors have a negative effect on the heath and future of American adolescents.


OBJECTIVE
To gain insight into these behaviors and preventative efforts, this study explored the experiences and perceptions of 15 pregnant adolescents using a qualitative feminist approach and in-depth interviews.


METHODS
As participants discussed sex education, each identified influences on sexual decision-making that often overpowered the information received.


RESULTS
Content analysis and constant comparison of this data led to the overarching theme "Drivers for Sexual Risk-taking." Drivers were categorized as internal and external and each demonstrated a significant influence on adolescent sexual decision-making.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study can inform the development of educational efforts, reform of social policy, and the focus of future research.
King Jones
Tammy C
TC
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA. jonestammy@uams.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004328:Drive; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D019513:Feminism; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010379:Peer Group; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data