211-01: Examining Depression, Sexual Decision-Making, and Gender on Adolescents’ Motivations For Sex

According to self-determination theory, motivation is an important precursor to behavior and is influenced by both internal and external factors. We tested this assumption using data from 234 7th through 10th grade students reporting on their motivations for sex, sexual decision-making skills, depression, gender, and religiosity. Path analysis identified significant paths between depression and reasons to not have sex and between sexual decision-making skills and both reasons to abstain and reasons to have sex. Gender was a significant control. Post-hoc Pearson’s chi-squares revealed gender differences in specific motivations. These findings are consistent with previous literature showing the impact of external and internal factors on motivation and suggest that future work focus on further examination and intervention in these areas to help adolescents make sexual choices.

Objectives

- To review the literature on adolescent’s motivations for sex and the associated internal and external influences that shape these motivations.  
- To examine the relationship between gender, religion, depression, sexual decision-making, and motivations for sex in adolescence. 
- To provide important considerations for educators and clinicians working with youth in understanding factors that contribute to motivations for sex in adolescence. 

Keywords: adolescence, mental health, sexuality

211-02: The Sexual Mindfulness Pilot Project: A Study on the Sexual and Relational Effects of Sexual Mindfulness

The Sexual Mindfulness Project examined the relational and sexual quantitative outcomes of committed couples (N = 5) attending a two-session  intervention. In addition, qualitative interviews asked couples how sexual mindfulness influenced their relationship. 

Results indicated improvement in all aspects of individual, romantic and sexual well-being. We examined sexual mindfulness and the other outcomes with pre/post evaluations and asked participants how they experienced change. This study helped confirm the theoretical mechanism of change was participants’ efforts to slow down, pay attention to their own sexual experience and/or feelings, communicate more effectively, and then address those feelings or thoughts with their partner in a non-judgmental, open, and accepting way.

Sexual mindfulness may play a significant part in helping couples experience more relational and sexual satisfaction.

Objectives

- To evaluate the effectiveness of The Sexual Mindfulness Project.
- To analyze the mechanism of change for participants using sexual mindfulness.
- To assess whether using a shortened mindfulness training format was efficacious.

Keywords: interventions, sexuality, mindfulness

211-03: Hooking Up and Hookup Behaviors: The Role of the Perception of Emerging Adulthood and Hookup Culture Features

This study examined the relationship between perceptions of the developmental feature of emerging adulthood and endorsement of the feature of the hookup culture with number of different hookup partners and behaviors. Participants were 1,219 college-attending emerging adults (ages 18-29). Results indicated that of the different features of emerging adulthood and hookup culture, only perceiving hooking up as “fun” remained significant after including control variables (binge drinking had the strongest association). Follow-up analyses among those who had hooked up (n = 807) indicated that some developmental features and hookup culture features helped differentiate involvement in various types of hookup behaviors. Sexual health education should address developmental and hookup culture perceptions to increase emerging adults’ ability to safeguard themselves during hookups.

Objectives

- To compare the role of development and culture in the hookup experiences of college-attending emerging adults.
- To demonstrate the consistent influence of binge drinking experience on emerging adults hooking up behaviors.
- To identify the importance of addressing perceptions of development and culture in the sexual health education of college-attending emerging adults.

Keywords: sexuality, emerging adulthood, quantitative methodology

211-04: Using a Novel For Mother-Daughter Sexual Communication: Implications For Family Life Educators

Despite the several barriers that exist to parent-child sexual communication, including discomfort, there has been little research on tools family life educators can teach parents to ease the discomfort. While suggestions have been offered, such as using teachable moments and using young adult literature, these strategies have not been empirically researched. Therefore, this study sampled mother-daughter dyads and used a young adult novel to determine the influence the novel and use of discussion questions has on mother-daughter sexual communication. Results indicated that the use of the novel and discussion questions both influenced mother-daughter sexual communication. Suggestions are provided for how family life educators can incorporate the use of novels or similar teachable moment tools in their parent programming.

Objectives

- To examine the effectiveness of using novels in mother-daughter sexual communication.
- To ease discomfort in mother-daughter sexual communication.
- To provide family life educators a tool to share in their parenting programming.

Keywords: family life education, parent-child relationships, sexuality