Do aspects of personality determine sexually responsible behaviour and contraceptive self-efficacy among adolescent females?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality characteristics (Five-factor model; Costa & McCrae, 1992), contraceptive self­ efficacy (CSE; Levinson, 1986) and sociosexual orientation (SOl; Simpson & Gangestad, 1991b). Questionnaires were administered to 131 adolescent females aged between 16-18 years in secondary school classrooms. The questionnaires were used to identify individuals' personality characteristics, attitudes, alcohol use and demographic variables and their relationship with adolescents' perceived efficacy within sexual situations. Contraceptive self-efficacy was highly correlated with conscientiousness and neuroticism. The results showed those that are highly conscientious perceive that they dm and should be responsible for their sexual behaviour and act in accordance to these beliefs. Whereas, those with high level of neuroticism feel less in control of their sexual behaviour and are at high risk of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Alcohol use was found to be highly predictive of sexual behaviour, CSE, SOl and personality characteristics. Contraceptive self-efficacy appears to be an important predictor of contraception use, personality and alcohol use. Implications for sexual education programs are discussed in terms of the results of this research.