Self-esteem and adolescent sexual behaviors, attitudes, and intentions: a systematic review.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE:
This review systematically examined the relationship between self-esteem and adolescents' sexual behaviors, attitudes, and intentions, as empirically investigated by researchers over the last 20 years.

METHODS:
Based on the Matrix Method for systematic reviews, five electronic databases and reference lists of published studies were searched. Thirty-eight (n = 38) publications met specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and comprised the final sample. Each study was assigned a methodological quality score (MQS; maximum = 20 points). Each study's empirical test of the relationship between self-esteem and sexual behaviors/attitudes/intentions was counted as a single finding and was classified as exhibiting an inverse linear relationship, no statistically significant linear relationship, or a positive linear relationship.

RESULTS:
A total of 189 findings (average = 4.97/publication, range 1-28) were analyzed. Most findings (n = 138, 73%) consisted of tests of self-esteem and sexual behaviors. Regarding the nature of the relationship between self-esteem and the various behavior/attitude/intention variables, 62% of behavior findings and 72% of the attitudinal findings exhibited no statistically significant association. All of the intention-related findings exhibited some type of relationship (either positive or inverse). Studies' average MQS was 11.71 (SD = 1.60). Higher quality studies yielded findings of positive or absence of relationship (Cramer's V = .329, p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS:
If most findings exhibit no association between self-esteem and adolescent sexual behaviors/attitudes/intentions, questions are inevitably raised whether the emphasis placed on self-esteem by public health professionals is innocuous. Recommendations for methodological improvement of this body of research are also presented.

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Author information

Author/s: Goodson, Patricia (P); Buhi, Eric R (ER); Dunsmore, Sarah C (SC);

Affiliation: Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4243, USA. pgoodson(-atsign-)hlkn.tamu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine (J Adolesc Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Mar; vol 38 (issue 3) : pp 310-9

Dates: Created 2006/02/20; Completed 2006/05/30; Revised 2007/12/05;

PMID: 16488836, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Humans
Male
Self Concept
Sexual Behavior - psychology

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