Predicting adolescent sexual activity using individual, familial, and extra-familial variables

Abstract

This study examined selected individual, familial, and extra-familial variables that predict adolescent sexual activity. This secondary data analysis used data gathered from a self-report survey, from 397 adolescents age 11 to 18 in three non-urban communities in the Pacific Northwestern United States. The study employed multiple hierarchical regression analyses to examine the strength of selected variables in predicting sexual activity. The final model accounted for 58% of the variance of sexual activity among youth. The best predictors of adolescent sexual activity were peer sexual activity, attitude about sexual intercourse, age, gender, motherαs education, and youth college aspiration. These finding have implications for future research, practitioners and policymakers.