Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Fall 10-11-2017
Journal / Book Title
American Journal of Sexuality Education
Abstract
First sex marks a significant transition for most adolescents, yet teens often report that it was unplanned. Seventy-four college students participated in exploratory focus groups about their first sex. Although initially asked whether their first sex was spontaneous or planned, many participants revealed evidence of forethought or anticipation, signifying a third option, anticipation. This study suggests that the development and timing of sexual health messages should build on the apparent, albeit often unacknowledged, planning and thought that accompany the transition to first sex. Specifically, during the time immediately preceding first sex, young people might be particularly open to such messages.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2017.1359804
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Lieberman, Lisa D.; Goldfarb, Eva S.; Kwiatkowski, Samantha; and Santos, Paul, "Does First Sex Really “Just Happen?” A Retrospective Exploratory Study of Sexual Debut Among American Adolescents" (2017). Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works. 83.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/public-health-facpubs/83
Published Citation
Lieberman, Lisa D., Eva S. Goldfarb, Samantha Kwiatkowski, and Paul Santos. "Does first sex really “just happen?” A retrospective exploratory study of sexual debut among American adolescents." American Journal of Sexuality Education 12, no. 3 (2017): 237-256.
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Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Clinical Epidemiology Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Epidemiology Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Health Services Administration Commons, International Public Health Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Patient Safety Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons