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  • Title: A study of the cognitive aspects of sexual decision making in adolescent females.
    Author: Sandler AD, Watson TE, Levine MD.
    Journal: J Dev Behav Pediatr; 1992 Jun; 13(3):202-7. PubMed ID: 1613116.
    Abstract:
    A comprehensive sexuality questionnaire was administered to 37 females, ages 13 through 16 years, who attended clinics for routine health care. Subjects completed standardized scales of self-concept, locus of control, and future orientation. They also were given a short battery of standardized cognitive tests. Three groups were identified: Group 1 was sexually active and using contraception reliably, Group 2 was not using contraception reliably, and Group 3 had not been sexually active. Group 1 adolescents had higher scores on the vocabulary subtest of the WISC-R (F = 3.4, p less than .05) than did Group 2 adolescents, over and above the effect of socioeconomic status (SES). Group 1 subjects had higher scores on knowledge of sex and contraception than did Group 2 (F = 3.3, p less than .05). Group 1 had more internal locus of control (F = 7.0, p less than .005) than did Group 2 over and above the effect of SES. Mean scores for Group 3 adolescents were intermediate and not significantly different. The findings suggest that cognitive factors may influence contraceptive behavior in adolescent females. Comprehensive sexuality questionnaires were given to 37 adolescent females to identify cognitive and personality factors potentially influencing decision making about sexual activity and contraceptive use. Subjects were aged 13-16 years, attending clinics for routine health care, and of primarily low socioeconomic status (SES). 54% of the sample was White, 41% Black, and 5% Hispanic, with 81% residing in urban or suburban settings. The sample was divided into 3 groups on the basis of respondent information obtained in standardized scales of self-concept, locus of control, future orientation, and cognitive tests. 13 were in group 1, 12 in group 2, and 12 in group 3. Adolescents in group 1 were sexually active and using contraception reliably, group 2 was sexually active and not using contraception reliably, and group 3 had not been sexually active. Group 1 scored higher than group 2 on knowledge of sex and contraception, on the vocabulary subtest of Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children, and had more internal locus of control. The latter two effects were independent of SES. These results, therefore, suggest that cognitive factors may influence contraceptive behavior in adolescent females.
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