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. 2008 Mar;12(2):321-31.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-007-9272-1. Epub 2007 Jul 17.

Validating an index of adolescent sexual behavior using psychosocial theory and social trait correlates

Michael Hennessy  1 , Amy Bleakley, Martin Fishbein, Amy Jordan
Affiliations

Validating an index of adolescent sexual behavior using psychosocial theory and social trait correlates

Michael Hennessy et al. AIDS Behav. 2008 Mar.

Abstract

Using a web-based survey of adolescents 14-16 years of age, a hierarchical index of heterosexual behavior was developed with excellent psychometric properties. The easiest sexual behavior to perform was "deep kissing" and the most difficult was "receiving anal sex" for females and "giving anal sex" for males. The index was validated with data that show increased sexual activity with being older and of minority status, with social traits such as physical development, having a romantic partner, and sensation seeking, and with psychosocial variables known to be associated with sexual behavior such as attitudes, norms, self-efficacy and intentions.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Sexual Behavior Index
Histogram of Cumulative Sex Score
Figure 2
Figure 2. Predicted Sexual Behavior Index
By Gender, Age, and Race
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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