Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore patterns of communication about risky sexual behavior between risk-taking adolescent partners. Specific aims of the study were to: 1. Explore what is communicated between risk-taking adolescent sexual partners and the reasons for communicating about risky sexual behavior. 2. Examine the timing of communication about risky sexual behavior. 3. Identify factors that facilitate or hinder communication between risk-taking adolescent sexual partners. 4. Determine how communication about risky sexual behavior varies in casual and established relationships. 5. Explore gender and ethnic similarities and differences in communication of risk-taking adolescents.
Design: A between method triangulation study using a survey and grounded theory methodology was used.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years: The sample for this study was recruited from a traget population of adolescent males and females ages 14 to 18 years old. Participants were recruited from an inner city high school and a public school program for at-risk adolescents. The sample included 30 males and 30 females.
Methods: After obtaining passive parental consent, the survey was administered to those students who were willing to participate at the high school in the school cafeteria. The survey included items related to demographic characteristics, alcohol use, previous sexual experience, condom use, self-efficacy related to condom use, and a sexual negotiation scale. Students who were willing to be interviewed wrote their first name and telephone number on the last page of the survey. The last page was removed from the survey prior to analysis and filed separately.
Parental consent and participant assent were obtained prior to interviews. The survey was administered verbally during the interview to participants who were recruited from the public school program for at-risk adolescents. The interview guide consisted of open-ended questions designed to elicit information concerning characteristics of communication about risky sexual behavior. Initial interviews lasted 30 to 45 minutes. A second interview was conducted to clarify information from the first interview and give the participant a chance to respond to the researcher's interpretation of the data (member checking). Participants were paid $15 for the first interview and $25 for the second interview. Male participants were interviewed by a male research assistant and female participants were interviewed by the principal investigator or a female research assistant. Interviews took place in a location that maintained confidentiality and was convenient to the participant. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim.
Analysis: Data collection will conclude in June, 2002. The survey will be analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings will be used to describe the sample and to establish convergent validity. In accordance with grounded theory methodology, analysis of interview data is occurring simultaneously with data collection. Data management and analysis will follow techniques suggested by Glaser and Strauss (1967), Strauss and Corbin (1990), and Miles and Huberman, 1994). The Atlas.ti software program for qualitative data management will be used to assist in the analysis.
Conclusion: The grounded theory generated from the data will provide a better understanding of the communication process between risk-taking adolescent sexual partners.
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