Social Environment and Problem Behavior

Abstract

In 2007, 48% of U.S. students of grades 9 to 12 had experienced sexual debut, 7% before the age of 13 years. Preventing early intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, adolescent pregnancy, and the loss of educational opportunity are important concerns for nurses and educators. A secondary data analysis of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) 2003 provided data identifying the relationships among age at sexual debut, gender, location of residence, and perceived school safety (PSS) as framed by the theory of problem behavior. Mean age at sexual debut was 14.4 years. Males were younger at sexual debut than females. Students reporting positive PSS were older at sexual debut. Age at sexual debut was significantly associated with PSS, gender, and location of residence. School nurses are positioned to identify evidence-based programs, facilitate the development of collaborative interventions to improve PSS, and change trajectories of sexual activity leading to poor health outcomes in adolescents and health risk behaviors in adults.

Gender Differences in the Influence of Protective Factors, Risk Factors, and Health Risk Behaviors on HIV Risk Behaviors Among Youth in South Florida

“…The majority of sexually-experienced adolescents had their first sexual experience at 14 years of age or older. The current study supported findings by the Cavazos-Rehg et al (2011) and March & Atav (2010) studies that found the average age of sexual initiation was 14.4 years, but conflicted with findings by Abma et al (2010) and Warren et al (1998) which found age at first sexual experience to be older.…”

“…Gender differences in sexual risk behaviors have been observed among U.S. adolescents (CDC, 2010b;Epstein & Spirito, 2010;Krantz, Lynch, & Russell, 2002;Kreiter et al, 1999;March & Atav, 2010;Puente et al, 2011;Sacco, Rickman, Thompson, Levine, & Reed, 1993;Schepis et al, 2011;Shrier, Pierce, Emans, & DuRant, 1998;Tevendale, Lightfoot, & Slocum, 2009), but research among Florida youth is limited (Hlaing, de la Rosa, & Niyonsenga, 2007;Niyonsenga et al, 2008).…”

“…Finally, the basic constructs of these theories lacked gender as an important determinant of sexual risk behavior. Gender is a fundamental part of adolescent sexual health (Tolman, Striepe, & Harmon, 2003), and although gender differences have been observed in HIV risk behaviors, many studies do not provide an explanation for why these differences occur (Krantz et al, 2002;Kreiter et al, 1999;March & Atav, 2010;Puente et al, 2011;Sacco et al, 1993;Schepis et al, 2011;Shrier et al, 1998;Epstein & Spirito, 2010;Tevendale et al, 2009;Werner-Wilson, 1998).…”

“…The target population of this theory is adolescents, a group that is often marginalized and has a vulnerable status in an agegraded society (March & Atav, 2010). Risk behaviors encompass two main subsets of behaviors: problem behaviors and health-risk behaviors.…”

“…Each system is comprised of instigations for and controls against involvement in problem behaviors (Costa, 2008). Within each system, the balance of instigation and control forces determines the proneness for involvement in problem behavior, and the combined effects of these forces across the three systems result in an overall proneness toward or away from problem behavior (Donovan, 2005;March & Atav, 2010).…”