Purpose: Sexual activity in early adolescence generally takes place within the context of a romantic relationship. Yet, little is known about how young adolescents view sexual activities and partners within these relationships or, if certain views are associated with risky sexual behavior. The purposes of this investigation were: 1) to describe young adolescents’ perceptions of sexual activity within romantic relationships as well as characteristics that are important in romantic partners, and 2) to determine if young adolescents who endorse abstinence, safer, or risky sexual activities differ in their perceptions of important partner characteristics. Participants: Fifty-seven volunteers (mean age=13.8) were recruited from eighth-grade classes in one urban middle school located in a midwestern state. Fifty-six percent were female and 65% were Caucasian. Methods: A descriptive design was employed. On an anonymous questionnaire, participants rated the acceptability of 13 sexual activities within an eighth-grade romantic relationship and the desirability of 23 characteristics in a boyfriend or girlfriend. For data analysis, partner characteristics were divided into four categories: physical (e.g. cute), personal (e.g. fun), social (e.g. popular) and risk behaviors (e.g. does not drink). In addition, participants were divided into three endorsement groups: an abstinence-only group (19%), a safer-sex group (35%) and a risky-sex group (21%). Results: Among all participants, 44% perceived abstinence as acceptable within an eighth-grade romantic relationship while 60% indicated that sexual intercourse with a condom is acceptable. A partner’s physical, personal and risk behavior characteristics were rated as very important. Young adolescents in the abstinence-only group were significantly more likely to prefer partners who do not smoke or drink as compared to the safer-sex and risky-sex groups. Conclusions: Young adolescents have clear views of romantic relationships including perceptions of acceptable behaviors and desirable partners. Such views must be considered in the design of relationship-focused programs.
Session #1187 - Adolescence & Sexuality
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)