Young people’s sexual readiness

Insights gained from comparing a researchers’ and youth advisory group’s interpretation

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15099151
AutoresMichelle Templeton (0000-0003-0957-7685, Queen's University, autor correspondente), Maria Lohan (0000-0003-3525-1283, Queen's University), Laura Lundy (0000-0003-1994-4290, Queen's University), Carmel Kelly (0000-0002-2952-6693, Queen's University)
Ano2020
Volume22
Fascículo9
Páginas987-1000
Data de publicação2020-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2019.1647555
PMID31625827
OpenAlexW2972286569
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas12
Referências citadas30

This study explored young people's understandings of sexual readiness and what influenced their decision to initiate first sex. Interviews conducted with 20 heterosexual young people aged 16-18 years, attending sexual health clinics in Northern Ireland, were analysed using a combined approach. This included comparing a researchers and youth advisory group's interpretations of the same data. Thematic analysis enabled comparison to draw out insights across both interpretations. Three themes emerged from each analysis that aligned closely with one another: Mental/Intimate Contact; People/Peer Influences; Self/Socio-Cultural Influences. One additional theme, Adult Control, emerged from the researchers' understanding alone. Results suggest that young people actively deliberate about sex as inevitable and find it difficult to resist the peer and social influences that regulate their lives, with many initiating sex 'to-get-it-over-with'. Gender ideologies and relationship status influenced expectations, motivations and the context surrounding first sex. Sexual readiness was informed by whether first sex was 'good', 'not so good' or 'bad', highlighting the gaps in young people's understanding. Health, law, and education sectors should co-produce interventions with young people to provide relevant and realistic information that explores the effects of gender equality in everyday life on related concepts such as respect, rights, responsibility and resilience

Developmental psychology · Ideology · Mental health · Political science · Politics · Psychological intervention · Psychological resilience · Qualitative research · Sexual orientation · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology