Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1993.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Nursing) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-142). Free to UCD affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

In this study, I investigated how mindfulness and sexual mindfulness (i.e. awareness and non-judgment) related to sexual consent beliefs among adolescents, and how these relationships were influenced by mothers' and fathers' communication about sex. My approach was grounded in Self-Determination Theory, which posits that healthy sexuality is best achieved when self-determined sexual relationships meet the fundamental human needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Previous research has suggested a positive link between mindfulness and sexual mindfulness and sexual consent beliefs among teenagers. On one hand, effective open communication between parents and children, especially regarding sensitive topics such as sexuality, can enhance the parent-child relationship and foster mindfulness in adolescents. On the other hand, negative or controlling communication may not influence an environment for mindfulness to flourish. Overall, mothers' and fathers' ways of communicating about sex have been found to shape adolescents' sexual attitudes and behaviors. To test my hypotheses, I used two cross-sectional moderation models with data from the Healthy Sexuality Project Wave 2. My sample included 128 sexually active adolescents. My results indicated that adolescents' sexual mindful awareness positively related to their sexual consent beliefs, while mothers' open communication enhanced the relationship between trait mindfulness and consent beliefs.

Sexual activity among unmarried adolescents is a major public health problem in Nigeria, because unmarried pregnant girls are more likely to have multiple sex partners and are less likely to use contraceptives, putting them at greater risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), unplanned pregnancy, abortion, social isolation, and poverty. Teen pregnancy and STD rates are on the rise in Nigeria, yet few data exist on the experience of the adolescents themselves. This phenomenological study was designed to explore the in-depth experiences of 10 pregnant, unmarried adolescent girls aged 16-19, including the factors contributing to their sexual activity. An ecological model served as the conceptual framework to permit individual experiences to be understood in their social and ecological context. Semistructured interviews and Hycner's method of analysis were used to collect and analyze the data. Results showed that the decision to initiate sexual activity among these girls was influenced by many factors, including: the need for financial support and a socially condoned system of "sugar daddies" who support girls in return for sex; peer pressure to have a sex partner; a romantic knowledge of sexual behavior based primarily on the mass media; and inadequate sex education. As a result of their pregnancy, the girls experienced negative reactions from their families and community, and serious psychological and financial concerns about their prospects for future marriage and their child's identity. A comprehensive community-based reproductive health program is called for, with reliable sex education, cooperation from the mass media, and support from family and community members. The social change implication of this study is to potentially lead to a decrease in unplanned pregnancy, STDs, social isolation, and poverty among adolescent girls in Nigeria.