To Wait or Not to Wait? Peer Influences on Students' Sexual Health Outcomes

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Division E Poster Session: Contemporary Perspectives in Human Development (San Diego)

Abstract

In studying students' sexual health outcomes, it is important to consider the influences of their peers. This study presents findings of multiple models examining if peer attitudes about waiting to have sex and use condoms moderate the relationship between students' expectancies for success and value of a sexual health curriculum and their self-efficacy in sexual-health-related decisions and sexual health attitudes. In a study of 605 ninth-grade students, we found that students' expectancies for success in learning from a sexual health program interact with their perception of their peers' attitudes. Specifically, students with low expectancies for success benefit from peers' positive attitudes about waiting to have sex and condom use.

Authors

• Kimiko Ching, The Ohio State University

• Shantanu Tilak, The Ohio State University

• Yvonne Allsop, The Ohio State University

• Eric M. Anderman, The Ohio State University