AN INTEGRATION OF THEORY - ADOLESCENT SEXUAL CONTACTS

The purpose of the present study was to examine the predictive validity of several theoretical factors drawn from control, social learning, and differential association theories for explaining adolescent sexual behavior. The sample consisted of 1478 adolescents who attended ten private schools located in different areas of this country. When examined together in multivariate regression equations, the theoretical factors accounted for 47.2% and 42.7% of the respective variances in frequency of sexual intercourse among males and females. The single factor of differential association with peers accounted for most of the respective variances (males, 33.1%; females, 26.8%). The discussion addressed the theoretical implications of the present findings for future research.