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Adolescent Sexuality and Sexual Behavior

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Handbook of Adolescent Health Psychology

Abstract

This chapter presents a theoretical framework that incorporates eight significant factors that have been associated with adolescent sexuality and sexual behaviors. Specifically, we discuss genetics, antenatal experiences, gender, parents, siblings, peers, partners, and neighborhood and cultural influences. Next, we provide an overview of the developmental trajectory of sexual behavior during adolescence. We also highlight the role of media in influencing adolescent sexual behavior. We then review psychosexual development and four dimensions of adolescent sexual self-concept (i.e., sexual self-esteem, sexual openness, sexual ambivalence, sexual anxiety). Finally, our chapter concludes with a discussion of adolescent sexual health and the limits of our current sexual health curriculum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 410 W. St, HITS 1001, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Candace Best Ph.D. & J. Dennis Fortenberry M.D., M.S.

Authors
  1. Candace Best Ph.D.
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  2. J. Dennis Fortenberry M.D., M.S.
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Correspondence to Candace Best Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, MS 0296, Reno, 89557-0062, New York, USA

    William T. O'Donohue

  2. , Department of Psychology, MS 0296, University of Nevada, Reno, North Virginia Street, Reno, 89557, Nevada, USA

    Lorraine T. Benuto

  3. , Integration Services, Aurora Mental Health Center, 11059 East Bethany Drive, Suite 105, Aurora, 80014, Colorado, USA

    Lauren Woodward Tolle

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Best, C., Fortenberry, J.D. (2013). Adolescent Sexuality and Sexual Behavior. In: O'Donohue, W., Benuto, L., Woodward Tolle, L. (eds) Handbook of Adolescent Health Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6633-8_19

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