Predicting willingness to engage in unsafe sex and intention to perform sexual protective behaviors among adolescents

Health Educ Behav. 2007 Aug;34(4):686-99. doi: 10.1177/1090198106289571. Epub 2006 Aug 2.

Abstract

This article examines the sociocognitive processes contributing to intention to use contraception and willingness to engage in unsafe sex, using extended versions of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the Prototype/Willingness model (Gibbons & Gerrard, 1995, 1997). Data were obtained from a questionnaire delivered to all the pupils in ninth grade (N = 196) at three schools in Oslo. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to predict intention and willingness. The results showed that subjective norm was the most important predictor of intentions for girls, whereas moral norm was most important for boys' intentions and willingness. Prototypes were the most important predictor for girls' willingness. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Contraception Behavior / psychology*
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Intention*
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Norway
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk-Taking
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Unsafe Sex / prevention & control
  • Unsafe Sex / psychology*