Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

Theresa Gibble

Abstract

Data suggested that abstinence-only education (AOE) was not an effective form of sex education compared to abstinence plus (AP) or comprehensive sex education (CSE). However, there was a dearth of research regarding how state sex education policies affect sixth, seventh, and eighth grade student behaviors. This study involved investigating how state policies impact sexual health behaviors of this population. The theoretical framework for this study was the socioecological model (SEM), which was used to assess how policies impact sexual behaviors. Research questions involved sex education policies and their impacts on condom use as well as age and number of sexual partners. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey was used to collect secondary data that were analyzed using Chi-Square analysis. Results suggested that policies should be implemented based on data rather than political agenda or religious affiliation. Data suggested a statistically significant difference in terms of proportion of students who had sexual intercourse before age 11 and type of state sex education policy. The following percentage of students were found to have sex before age 11. This data was found to be statistically significant (AOE = 6.3%, AP = 5.0%, CSE = 6.1%, p = 0.003). There were also research questions that were found to be statistically significant; involving ever having sexual intercourse and type of state sex education policy (p = 0.020). In terms of types of sex education policies, 6.3% of students receiving AOE, 5.0% of students receiving AP, and 6.1% of students receiving CSE reported ever having sexual intercourse. Results suggested lack of associations between state sex education policies and sexual behaviors.

Download

Share

 
COinS