Constructing a sexual self: Latino adolescent sexuality
Abstract
Prominent theoreticians in adolescent sexuality have called for research that is contextual, health-focused, gender balanced, and from the perspective of the adolescent, noting that scales developed by Buzwell and Rosenthal (1996) are promising. Cross-cultural validation of the measures in the U.S. should include Chicano adolescents, as they are the fastest growing ethnic group. Contextual issues for this population include the role of culture, the role of the family, country of origin, and acculturation. Chicanos are different from other Latino populations in terms of the onset of puberty, sexual initiation, life transitions, contraceptive use, and STDs/HIV. The Buzwell and Rosenthal scales were tested with 195 Latino adolescents, Mexican-identified, and third generation plus immigrants. Sexual Self-Beliefs and Sexual Self-Efficacy scales were found to have acceptable reliability while the Sexual Self-Esteem did not. Factor analysis of the scales created new scales with some overlap to the original scales. Gender differences were found on both the original and revised scales. Additionally, both the revised and original scales correlated similarly with age, virginity status, and sexual behaviors. Cluster analysis of the original scales produced clusters strikingly similar to the original study. Cluster analysis of the revised scales produced new clusters that shared some conceptual overlap with the original. Both sets of clusters were significantly different on important sexual behaviors.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Long, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Developmental psychology|Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
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