Differences of Sexual Behavior Predictors between Sexually Active and Nonactive Female Adolescents in Congested Communities, Bangkok Metropolis
Arpaporn Powwattana PhD*, Pantip Ramasoota PhD*
Affiliation : * Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objective : To test the differences among the predictors between sexually active and non-active female
adolescents.
Study
Results : Descriptive research.
Material and Method: The participants included 581 Thai female adolescents: 262 sexually non-active and
319 sexually active (average age = 19.7 years). They completed questionnaires measuring self-discrepancy,
depression, power in relationships (decision making dominance and relationship control), sexual self-efficacy
(ability to say no, assertiveness, precaution), cognitive strategies (gain thinking: relationship, development,
curiosity; punishment avoidance thinking: negative consequence, ethical-related, fear-related), and sexual
behavior. The t-test and the Hierarchical Regression were employed for data analyses.
Results : Among the sexually active, 68.8% had vaginal or anal sexual intercourse (11.7%) without using a
condom. Significant enabling predictors among the sexually active included sexual self-efficacy (precaution),
and gain thinking (relationship), whereas punishment avoidance thinking (negative consequence) had a
negative influence: it accounted about 11.0%. Among sexually non-active, alcohol consumption, power in a
relationship (decision making dominance), and gain thinking (relationship) accounted for 26.9% of the
variance in explaining sexual behavior.
Conclusion : A specific link between sexual self-efficacy and cognitive strategies will be drawn to develop a
program for the sexually active. Implications for behavioral modification addressing alcohol drinking and
power in a relationship should be discussed among the sexually non-active.
Keywords : Sexual self-efficacy, Cognitive strategies, Power in relationship, Sexual behavior, Depression, Congested communities
