Relationship between peer norms and the sexual intention of adolescents and the role of the quality of the parent child relationship

Abstract

Abstract: Background Sexual development takes place during adolescence. A part of the sexual development is sexual behaviour, only sexuality is more then just behaviour. Cognitive aspects, such as sexual intention, are part of sexuality. This may be related to peer norms (attitudes and experiences of peers), which can have both a conservative and a stimulating influence on sexual intention. The quality of the parent-child relationship may also play a role in the development of sexual intention. Aim The current research aimed to investigate how peer norms are related to the sexual intention of adolescents. In addition, it is examined whether this relationship is moderated by the quality of the parent-child relationship. Methods For a total of 1,230 adolescents between 10 and 18 years of age (M = 13.7, SD = 1.4), the data was collected by means of questionnaires at different measurement moments. The data from T1 and T3 have been used for the current research. The participants are from four secondary schools in the Netherlands. The data was analysed using a hierarchical regression analysis. Results It has been found that both sexual experiences of peers and sexual attitudes were significantly positively related to the sexual intention of adolescents. The variable quality parent-child was significantly negatively related to the sexual intention of adolescents. However, no moderation effect of the quality of the parent-child relationship on these relationships was found. Conclusion Current research has shown that permissive attitudes of peers and more sexual experiences of peers are related to a higher sexual intention of adolescents. By understanding how sexual intention is related to sexual behaviour, it is possible to use preventive interventions. Current research has not found that the quality of the parent-child relationship moderates the influences of peers on the sexual intention of adolescents. Perhaps other factors are more important, such as more sex-specific components of parenthood.