Perceptions and experiences of first sexual intercourse in Australian adolescent females.

Skinner, SR; Smith, J; Fenwick, J; Fyfe, S; Hendriks, J

Perceptions and experiences of first sexual intercourse in Australian adolescent females.

Skinner, SR Smith, J Fenwick, J Fyfe, S Hendriks, J

Permalink

Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: J Adolesc Health, 2008, 43 (6), pp. 593 - 599
Issue Date:: 2008-12

Closed Access

	Filename	Description	Size
	2008006626OK.pdf		152.18 kB		View/Open

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Closed Access

This item is closed access and not available.

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Skinner, SR	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Smith, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fenwick, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fyfe, S	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hendriks, J	en_US
dc.date.available	2008-04-22	en_US
dc.date.issued	2008-12	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	J Adolesc Health, 2008, 43 (6), pp. 593 - 599	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/9574
dc.description.abstract	PURPOSE: To better understand the factors that influence the initiation of first intercourse among adolescent females and to explore the context in which this occurs. METHODS: A purposive sample of sexually active female teenagers aged between 14 and 19 years were recruited from sexual and reproductive health clinics across the Perth metropolitan area. Sixty-eight in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the narrative data. Meanings and interpretations that emerged were constantly verified through subsequent inquiry. RESULTS: The degree of personal control over the factors that led to their first experience of intercourse determined how teenagers reflected upon the experience. Those who were "ready" were more likely to have delayed intercourse until they were comfortable with both when and with whom this occurred. In contrast, conforming to peer norms, coercion from sexual partners and being intoxicated were common reasons for premature and unwanted first experience of sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: The explorative approach used in this study deepens current understanding of the factors influencing and associated with intercourse initiation, and how these reflect different aspects of adolescent development. In particular, the role of young peoples' sociocultural environment, including peer interaction and alcohol intoxication, alongside pressure from sexual partners in premature and unwanted sexual activity may assist in informing educational interventions of greater personal relevance and impact.	en_US
dc.language	eng	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	J Adolesc Health	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.04.017	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Public Health	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent Behavior	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Alcohol Drinking	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Coitus	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Peer Group	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Interpersonal Relations	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy in Adolescence	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Educational Status	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Evaluation Studies as Topic	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.title	Perceptions and experiences of first sexual intercourse in Australian adolescent females.	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	6	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	43	en_US
utslib.location.activity	United States	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	13 Education	en_US
utslib.for	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	6	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	43	en_US

Abstract:

PURPOSE: To better understand the factors that influence the initiation of first intercourse among adolescent females and to explore the context in which this occurs. METHODS: A purposive sample of sexually active female teenagers aged between 14 and 19 years were recruited from sexual and reproductive health clinics across the Perth metropolitan area. Sixty-eight in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the narrative data. Meanings and interpretations that emerged were constantly verified through subsequent inquiry. RESULTS: The degree of personal control over the factors that led to their first experience of intercourse determined how teenagers reflected upon the experience. Those who were "ready" were more likely to have delayed intercourse until they were comfortable with both when and with whom this occurred. In contrast, conforming to peer norms, coercion from sexual partners and being intoxicated were common reasons for premature and unwanted first experience of sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: The explorative approach used in this study deepens current understanding of the factors influencing and associated with intercourse initiation, and how these reflect different aspects of adolescent development. In particular, the role of young peoples' sociocultural environment, including peer interaction and alcohol intoxication, alongside pressure from sexual partners in premature and unwanted sexual activity may assist in informing educational interventions of greater personal relevance and impact.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/9574