Risky sexual behaviour in adolescence: Correlations to family structure and relations with parents

Marksaityte, R. (Rasa)¹, Macijauskiene, E. (Edita)¹, Seibokaite, L. (Laura)^1
1Vytautas Magnus University

 

Submission type

Oral only

Scheduled

Room 117, 12-07-2019, 11:00 - 12:30

Keywords

adolescence, risky sexual behaviour, family structure, relations with parents

Summary

Study aims to evaluate the importance of family structure and quality of the relations with parents for adolescents’ risky sexual behaviour in the context of growing number of divorced families and the liberalization of sexual behaviour in western societies. 197 (52.8 percent males, mean age 16.4 years) adolescents participated in the study. Conflict Behavior Questionnaire was used to measure their relationship with parents. Sexual Risk Survey was used to measure three aspects of risky sexual behaviour: uncommitted partners, impulsive sexual behaviours, and contraception.

51.3 percent of adolescents reported living in divorced families. Adolescents from divorced families reported more frequent risky sexual behaviour compared to those living with both parents. More frequent disagreements with mother were related to higher number of uncommitted partners. Regression analysis revealed that family structure was not significant predictor of risky sexual behaviour. Risky sexual behaviour was predicted by decrease of close relationships with mother in boys and by more frequent disagreements with father in girls. Adolescents’ risky sexual behaviour is more dependent on the relationship with parents rather than on family structure. This message is especially important for divorced parents in order to understand the significance of their relations with child even when not living together.

Auteurs