ADOLESCENT SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS

Abstract Background Sexual behaviour in adolescents has been explained as a multi-systemic and multi-dimensional concept. While most research perceives adolescent sexual activity as risky behaviour, a significant case has also been made to understand these activities as a healthy normative process. In contemporary literature, a significant increase in adolescent sexual behaviour has been noted, further emphasizing the need to assess this behaviour more comprehensively. Methodology This systematic review identifies assessment tools for adolescent sexual behaviour and evaluates their psychometric properties as well as clinical utility. Relevant publications in English or Hindi from 1990 to 2022 were identified using a comprehensive search strategy in PubMed and ScienceDirect, supplemented by screening citations and references. Furthermore, a 10-point quality judgment criterion was used to evaluate the psychometric aspects of the scales. Results Eleven publications were identified and selected for this review, of which ten were self-report measures, and one was an interview-based instrument. Findings indicated that most tools showed only moderate psychometric qualities and had limited clinical utility. Conclusion Assessment tools to test sexual behaviour in adolescents have been more focused on risky behaviour, and more diverse and psychometrically sound tools with more robust validation studies are required to study this important area better. Abstract Background Sexual behaviour in adolescents has been explained as a multi-systemic and multi-dimensional concept. While most research perceives adolescent sexual activity as risky behaviour, a significant case has also been made to understand these activities as a healthy normative process. In contemporary literature, a significant increase in adolescent sexual behaviour has been noted, further emphasizing the need to assess this behaviour more comprehensively. Methodology This systematic review identifies assessment tools for adolescent sexual behaviour and evaluates their psychometric properties as well as clinical utility. Relevant publications in English or Hindi from 1990 to 2022 were identified using a comprehensive search strategy in PubMed and ScienceDirect, supplemented by screening citations and references. Furthermore, a 10-point quality judgment criterion was used to evaluate the psychometric aspects of the scales. Results Eleven publications were identified and selected for this review, of which ten were self-report measures, and one was an interview-based instrument. Findings indicated that most tools showed only moderate psychometric qualities and had limited clinical utility. Conclusion Assessment tools to test sexual behaviour in adolescents have been more focused on risky behaviour, and more diverse and psychometrically sound tools with more robust validation studies are required to study this important area better