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Do Religious and Control Cognitions Predict Risky Behavior? II. Development and Validation of the Sexual Risk Behavior-related God Locus of Control Scale for Adolescents (SexGLOC-A)

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Abstract

Research has identified numerous correlates of sexual risk behaviors among adolescents. However, two potentially important cognitive constructs, perceived control and religious beliefs, have received considerably less attention. Research demonstrates that the most informative examination of the relationship of perceived control beliefs to sexual risk requires instruments that directly assess control beliefs specific to sexual risk behaviors. Further, beliefs about God as a source of control (e.g., the perception that God is [or is not] actively helping one to delay sexual contact, refuse engagement in high risk sexual behaviors, or limit the number of sexual partners) may influence adolescents’ decisions, yet there are no instruments available to examine such beliefs. This study describes the development of a measure of God control beliefs over sexual risk behavior and provides initial reliability and validity data. Results suggest that the Sexual Risk Behavior-related God Locus of Control measure for Adolescents (SexGLOC-A) is a reliable and valid measure having demonstrated high internal consistency and both convergent and discriminant validity.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Grant R21-AA-1307501 and in part by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grant 1U79SP08962. We wish to acknowledge the important contributions of the youth participants, community partner site staff members, the Kansas City Free Health Clinic “ONYX” staff, and the UMKC HIV/AIDS Research Group. We also wish to acknowledge and thank John B. Jemmott, III and Loretta Sweet Jemmott for allowing us to use an adapted version of their risk behavior survey in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 4825 Troost, Ste. 111-D, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA

    Kathy Goggin & Kimberly A. Metcalf

  2. Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Vanessa L. Malcarne

  3. Department of Psychology, Ohio State University Mansfield, Mansfield, OH, USA

    Thomas S. Murray

  4. School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Kenneth A. Wallston

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  1. Kathy Goggin
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  2. Vanessa L. Malcarne
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  3. Thomas S. Murray
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  4. Kimberly A. Metcalf
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  5. Kenneth A. Wallston
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Correspondence to Kathy Goggin.

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Goggin, K., Malcarne, V.L., Murray, T.S. et al. Do Religious and Control Cognitions Predict Risky Behavior? II. Development and Validation of the Sexual Risk Behavior-related God Locus of Control Scale for Adolescents (SexGLOC-A). Cogn Ther Res 31, 123–139 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-006-9090-1

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