Resisting Pressure From Peers to Engage in Sexual Behavior: What Communication Strategies Do Early Adolescent Latino Girls Use?

    Authors

    A. E. Norris; J. Pettigrew; M. Miller-Day; M. L. Hecht; J. Hutchison;K. Campoe

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Early Adolesc.

    Keywords

    communication; sexual behavior (including; pregnancy); peer pressure; (positive and negative); middle school; Hispanic; Latino; Latina; health; promotion; HIGH-SCHOOL-STUDENTS; URBAN HISPANIC ADOLESCENTS; DRUG-RESISTANCE; SUBSTANCE USE; YOUNG-ADULTS; INITIATION; RISK; ACCULTURATION; Family Studies; Psychology, Developmental

    Abstract

    A content analysis of early adolescent ((X) over bar = 12.02 years) Latino girls' (n = 44) responses to open-ended questions embedded in an electronic survey was conducted to explore strategies girls may use to resist peer pressure with respect to sexual behavior. Analysis yielded 341 codable response units, 74% of which were consistent with the REAL typology (i. e., refuse, explain, avoid, leave) previously identified in adolescent substance use research. However, strategies reflecting a lack of resistance (11%) and inconsistency with communication competence (e. g., aggression) were also noted (15%). Frequency of particular strategies varied depending on the situation described in the open-ended question, suggesting a variety of strategies may be needed to resist the peer pressure that puts early adolescent girls at risk of engaging in sexual behavior. Study findings extend the typology of resistance strategies identified in adolescent substance initiation and use research to the context of early adolescent sexual behavior.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Early Adolescence

    Volume

    35

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2015

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    562

    Last Page

    580

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000351849900006

    ISSN

    0272-4316

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