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An integration of theory: Adolescent sexual contacts

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the predictive validity of several theoretical factors drawn from control, social learning, and differential association theories for explaining adolescent sexual behavior. The sample consisted of 1478 adolescents who attended ten private schools located in different areas of this country. When examined together in multivariate regression equations, the theoretical factors accounted for 47.2% and 42.7% of the respective variances in frequency of sexual intercourse among males and females. The single factor of differential association with peers accounted for most of the respective variances (males, 33.1%; females, 26.8%). The discussion addressed the theoretical implications of the present findings for future research.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Social Work Program, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 72204, Little Rock, Arkansas

    Brent B. Benda (Associate Professor)

  2. School of Social Work, University of Maryland at Baltimore, 21201, Baltimore, Maryland

    Frederick A. DiBlasio (Associate Professor)

Authors
  1. Brent B. Benda
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  2. Frederick A. DiBlasio
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Additional information

The arrangement of names of authors was purely alphabetical, since contributions to it were equal.

Received Ph.D. in social welfare from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Research interests: juvenile delinquency, adolescent sexual behavior, and homelessness.

Received Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University. Research interests: adolescent sexual behavior, use of forgiveness in clinical practice, and homelessness.

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Benda, B.B., DiBlasio, F.A. An integration of theory: Adolescent sexual contacts. J Youth Adolescence 23, 403–420 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01536727

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