Adolescents' Sexual Orientation and Self-Efficacy in Dating and Sex

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Division E Poster Session: Contemporary Perspectives in Human Development

Abstract

While exploring sexual orientation and dealing with intimacy and sexuality is important and challenging for adolescents, it might be particularly challenging for sexual minority adolescents. This study examined the associations between high school students’ sexual orientation and self-efficacy in dating and sex. Among students with no prior sexual experience, refusal self-efficacy in dating and sex increased over time for heterosexual students but did not change over time for LGBTQ students. Situational self-efficacy in unwanted or risky sexual situations was positively associated with GPAs for heterosexual students. However, situational self-efficacy did not change according to GPAs for LGBTQ students without prior sexual experience; and decreased with the increase of GPAs for LGBTQ students with prior sexual experience.

Authors

• Seung Yon Ha, The Ohio State University

• Eric M. Anderman, The Ohio State University

• Yvonne Allsop, The Ohio State University

• Rick S Zimmerman, Wayne State University