| Within this research, risk factors associated with risky adolescent sexual intercourse behaviours were examined. The risk factors chosen come from three adolescent social contexts: family, peers and school. The risk factors were low parental monitoring, low parental support, high peer encouragement of risky behaviour, low peer support for no sex, low school goals, and low school grades (GPA). These risk factors were analyzed in relationship to risky adolescent sexual intercourse, which was defined by not using a condom, engaging in sex at an early age, or having multiple sexual partners. Analysis was guided by Bronfenbrenner's Ecology Theory. This theorist emphasizes the importance of interpreting human behaviour in the context of the social settings in which these behaviours occur. Results show that there are multiple pathways to risky sexual intercourse. These results are discussed in an attempt to better target programs towards teens at greatest risk. |
