Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Decker School of Nursing, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

An understanding of both sexual activity and sexual abstinence among young people is crucial in preventing the negative consequences of early sex initiation. The study of motivation is essential for health educators to be effective in persuading individuals to adopt healthy behaviors and avoid health-compromising ones. A discussion of the multi-dimensional construct of motivation for sexual abstinence is absent from the adolescent sexual behavior literature. Within this study, in-depth brainstorming sessions among college students and the construction of concept maps were used to identify and visually represent potentially relevant dimensions of motivation for sexual abstinence. Based upon these results, the Sexual Abstinence Motivation Scale (SAMS) was developed and psychometrically tested with a pilot group, as well as a statistically representative final group from two major universities in central Texas. Based on the results from this exploratory analysis, the final version of the SAMS included eight scales and 41 items. The eight factors were: Commitment to Self-Schema, Risk of Disappointing Authority Figures, Fear/Apprehension of the Sexual Experience, Fear of Physical Consequences, Value of Virginity, Reputation Regret, No Opportunity/Not Important, and Manipulation. The analyses of the psychometric properties of the SAMS lend support to the validity and reliability of scores it generated. The examination of convergent validity of the SAMS showed significant negative correlations with the Sexual Ideology Instrument -- an indication that the instrument appeared to be measuring motivation for sexual abstinence. Adequate reliability computed through Cronbach alpha demonstrated the items in the SAMS were measuring the same construct ? motivation for sexual abstinence. Prior to this study, assumptions about factors of motivation for sexual abstinence and their possible structure were unknown. Based on results of this examination, preliminary elements now exist that can be tested for the development of these assumptions. The dimensions uncovered in this analysis contribute to the development and refinement of a theory of motivation for sexual abstinence. Further examination, specifically confirmatory factor analysis using the SAMS, is needed.

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1981. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-110).

Thesis (Th. M.)--St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 186-191).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1981. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-110).

Thesis (M.A.)--The Master's College, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Adolescent pregnancy among students across South Africa is a growing concern. The high incidence of dropping out of school results in greatly diminished chances of success and independence for many. Sex education forms part of the life orientation curriculum, and it has been put in place by the Department of Education as a measure to reduce the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy. Parents of adolescents play a vital role in educating their children on sexual matters, secondary to that is community educations on sexual matters in aid of uplifting communities. The aim of the study was to explore the perception of how effective sex education could be a means of reducing pregnancies in the Blue Crane Route Municipality. To achieve this aim, three objectives and three research questions were articulated. The objectives were to explore the course content of life orientation provided to adolescents, to investigate by questioning adolescents concerning the importance of life orientation in their lives and to examine the factors responsible for the escalation of adolescent pregnancies in the municipality. The research questions were: How adequate was the course content of life orientation in helping adolescents in their sexual lives? How useful was life orientation to adolescent girls? What are the factors that increase the incidence of adolescent pregnancies in the municipality? Qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured interviews; focus group discussions were conducted with students, social workers and life orientation educators and observations made by them were recorded. Data was analysed thematically and was supported by relevant literature. The findings revealed that sex education is not effective in reducing pregnancies in the Blue Crane Route Municipality. The figures for adolescent pregnancy in schools have increased since 2007, when sex education was introduced as part of the life orientation curriculum. Accordingly, it is recommended that the Department of Education should re-evaluate the curriculum and appoint educators who are sufficiently trained in life orientation to make learners properly aware of the consequences of unwanted pregnancies.

Sexual abstinence has become the primary response to prevention against sexually transmitted infection (STI) and unplanned pregnancies amongst young people. However, not much is known about the perceptions of young men on sexual abstinence. The central aim in this study was to explore the perceptions of sexual abstinence among young black males. The research aims to examine men’s understandings of their own sexuality and the way these might influence their decision on sexual abstinence. A total of 10 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with young men aged between 18 and 25 years, studying at The University of the Witwatersrand. All data collected were then qualitatively analysed through the use of thematic content analysis (TCA). Findings show that in constructing their masculinities participants predominantly endorsed discourses of male hegemony. At some instances the young men retracted to subjective alternative masculinities, although there was a stronger need to fit in with their peers, to protect themselves from being ridiculed or rejected. As such conforming to the hegemonic masculinity was expected. The young men constructed women as sexual objects and as a means towards affirming their masculinity. A key conclusion drawn was that some traditional notions of manhood still held sway, and these tied in strongly with how these participants constructed their masculinity and this influenced most of them to not sexually abstain.