Sexual Behaviors, Sexual Knowledge, Self-Esteem, and Sexual Attitudes in Emerging Adult Females

• Other Authors: Byno, Lucille H. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Social sciences
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2926

Emerging adults, between ages 18 and 25, experience changes in interpersonal relationships, sexuality, world view, and for some, changes in living arrangements that include college (Arnett, 2001; Lefkowitz, 2005). For many college students, this period of intense exploration and change may include increased susceptibility to engage in high-risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors. (Arnett, 1992; Bradley & Wildman, 2002). Social cognitive theory was used in this study to examine relationships among personal aspects of female emerging adults and their sexual behavior such as sexual attitudes, self-esteem, race, age, and high-risk behaviors in addition to environmental influences such as perceived parental sexual attitudes. Social cognitive theory was a useful framework because it not only considers internal factors involved in individual decision making; it also considers interactions between an individual and their environment. The most prominent predictor of female college students engaging in sexual behavior was engaging in other high-risk behaviors. Risk behaviors also related to sexually permissive attitudes and attitudes relating to safe sexual practice. The sexual knowledge among emerging adult females was not a good predictor of their sexual behavior, nor was self-esteem. Parental attitude related to sexual behavior for sexual permissiveness and sexual practice. Therapists and educators would benefit from a depth of understanding the interpersonal reasoning for sexual decision making. Better assessment tools could be developed, specific treatments could be employed, and educational materials modeled on a more clear understanding of what works and what does not work in understanding sexuality related issues. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Spring Semester, 2006. === November 4, 2005. === sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes, sexual behavior, emerging adults === Includes bibliographical references. === Ronald L. Mullis, Professor Directing Dissertation; Gary W. Peterson, Outside Committee Member; Mary W. Hicks, Committee Member; Nicholas F. Mazza, Committee Member; Ann K. Mullis, Committee Member.