Adolescent Sexual Abstinence: A Test of an Integrative Theoretical Framework

The purpose of this study was to test an integrative theoretical framework in explaining adolescents ’ sexual abstinence and intentions to remain abstinent and refine the framework to reflect which elements contribute more powerfully to the explana-tion of abstinence and intentions. We administered an anonymous, theory-based questionnaire to two nonrandom samples of seventh- and eighth-graders (n = 451 and 447, respectively). Measurement modeling provided sufficient evidence for establishing construct validity. A refined structural equation model demonstrated good fit. Pro-abstinence standards predicted stronger beliefs toward staying abstinent, stronger perceptions that others endorse pro-abstinence norms, and a greater self-efficacy to remain sexually abstinent until marriage. In turn, beliefs, norms, and self-efficacy were predictive of intentions, which predicted sexual abstinence at a later time point. Similar findings emerged in a replication using a second set of sample data. Results suggest that this integrative theoretical framework is useful in explaining adolescents ’ intention and their subsequent sexual abstinence. Keywords sexual abstinence, adolescents, theory, structural equation models Identifying antecedents of adolescents ’ first sex has been a topic of special interest for many scholars over the past two decades. One in five teens in the United States report havin