Ecological Variables Contributing to Adolescent Risky Sexual Behaviors

Abstract

The ecology in which an adolescent lives plays a critical role in defining the outcome trajectories of health and well-being during this stage of development. In this current study, family and community ecological variables are explored to better understand the influence that environmental contexts have on adolescent risky sexual behavior outcomes. Utilizing a sample of 185 adolescents ages 12 to 19, results from ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models indicate both family and community contexts are associated with adolescent risky sexual behavior. In particular, family ecological variable <italic>positive parenting practices</italic> is significantly associated with risky sexual behaviors in adolescence when controlling for all other ecological `study' variables. Included within this thesis are family and community level implications for improving adolescent risky sexual behavior outcomes.