The purpose of this study was to collect information on relevant sexuality
education content for adolescents by assessing students' interests and
perceived needs. Subjects in this study were middle school students.
Two methods of data collection were employed, therefore, this study was
conducted in two phases. In the first phase, questionnaires were completed by
224 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students of the Greater Albany School
District. Responses from the Student Sexuality Education Questionnaire
(SSEQ) revealed sexuality topics of importance based on interest and
perceived need. Subsequent to identifying sexuality topics of importance,
statistical analyses were performed on each sexuality topic. Kruskal-Wallis
analyses determined that five sexuality topics (of 23 listed in the SSEQ) were
significant between sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. Seventeen topics
tested statistically significant when female and male responses were submitted
to Mann-Whitney analyses. Differences between grade levels and sexes were
identified for three topics in both tests of significance. These topics were female
reproductive system, male reproductive system, and dating.
In the second phase of this study, semi-structured interviews were
conducted with 31 students who completed the SSEQ. Student consent, grade
level, and sex were criteria used in selecting the Phase II sample. Students'
responses to Interview Guide questions were tape-recorded, transcribed, and
content analyzed. An analysis of the transcripts revealed similarities and
differences between Phase I and II data. In both phases, students reported that
AIDS, STD's, preventing STD's, preventing pregnancy, and sexual abuse were
most important to learn about in school. Additional data that emerged during the
interview process related to preferred sources and grade levels for sexuality
education. Students generated a list of suggestions for relevant sexuality
education. Their suggestions were summarized.
A synthesis of Phase I and II results led to recommendations for school
administrators and educators. Recommendations were also provided for future
research. / Graduation date: 1992
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/36581 |
| Date | 07 May 1992 |
| Creators | Sims, Gigi-Terese |
| Contributors | Smith, Margaret |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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