Understanding adolescent sexually abstinent behavior and intentions through structural equation modeling and use of the integrated theory

Adolescent sex research, historically, has suffered from 4 limitations: a lack of theoretical grounding to guide the development of hypotheses (in individual studies); the absence of a multidimensional theoretical model on sexual behavior; use of simple univariate/bivariate analytic techniques; and little systematic study of sexual abstinence. These remain important limitations, as the federal government has increased its allocation of millions of dollars annually for abstinence-promotion programs and 1 in 5 US teens still report having had sexual intercourse before the age of 15. The purpose of this dissertation study was to utilize structural equation modeling to 1) test The Integrated Theory in explaining adolescentsâ sexually abstinent behavior and intentions to remain abstinent before marriage, and 2) refine the theory to reflect which elements contribute more powerfully to the explanation of adolescentsâ behavior and intentions. An anonymous, theory-based paper-and-pencil questionnaire was administered to 2 non-random samples of 7th/8th grade youth (Wave 1 N = 451, Wave 2 N = 448), taking part in a broader evaluation study of Title V-funded abstinence-only-until-marriage education programs in Texas. The questionnaire assessed adolescentâ s self-reported sexual behaviors, intentions to remain abstinent, environmental constraints, beliefs, subjective norms, pro-abstinence self-standards, emotions regarding sexual abstinence and sex before marriage, and self-efficacy. Measurement modeling provided sufficient evidence for establishing construct validity. Initial structural model fit (Wave 2 data) was satisfactory; however, a refined model demonstrated better fit, yielding a Ï 2/df ratio of 3.16, CFI/TLI values of 0.73/0.95, and RMSEA and WRMR values of 0.07 and 0.86, respectively. Greater endorsement of abstinence-related standards predicted stronger beliefs toward staying abstinent, stronger perceptions that others endorse pro-abstinence norms, and a greater self-efficacy to remain abstinent until marriage. In turn, beliefs, perceived norms, and self-efficacy were predictive of intentions (β = .379, .300, and .273, respectively, p â ¤ .001). I found similar findings in a second modeling analysis (replication) using a second but similar set of sample data (from Wave 1). Results indicate The Integrated Theory may be useful in explaining adolescentsâ intention to remain abstinent and their subsequent abstinent behavior. I identify several implications for future study and health education practice