STUDY ABOUT INTENTION OF ADOLESCENCES SEXUAL BEHAVIORS

(Case Study Padjadjaran University faculty of psychology Bandung West Java Indonesia)

By Muwaga musa 190220093001

PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

PADJADJARAN UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF PSYCHOLOGY BANDUNG 2011

CHAPTER ONE

1.1

Background Adolescence is a developmental period which can decide a persons current and

future health as it is at this time that people begin to make independent decisions about health-risk and health enhancing behaviors (Williams & Greenley, 2002). Physiological, psychological, sexual and cognitive changes are experienced during this period; however, these changes are not concurrent. Thus, it is not unusual for adolescents to have the physical characteristics of adults in early adolescence, and yet have the limited psychological, social, and cognitive development consistent with childhood (Lerner, 2002). Risky sexual behavior is one of the major problems of adolescence and this comes as a result of the developmental characteristics of adolescence. Therefore, adolescents need to learn the consequences of sexual behaviors. The negative health outcomes of adolescent sexual behavior are diverse. Unexpected pregnancy, subsequent abortions, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are a few of these possible negative outcomes. The patterns and styles of sexual behavior of adolescents vary depending on the types of physical and cognitive development level, peer norms, and family values (Reynolds & East, 1998). Studies showed that girls with earlier puberty than their peers engage in sex earlier and are more likely to become pregnant during adolescence. Media roles in influencing sexual behaviors of adolescents are not doubted that sexual attitudes and practices have become much more liberal in the 21st century than they used to be in the recent past. In reporting these changes, the media always pictures

them as revolutionary break and some commentators have predicted our sudden moral decay will have dire consequences for the society if they go unchecked. But not all agree that sex revolution has taken place. Some argue that today university students are simply more open in discussing their sexual activities than it was in the past and that sexual behaviors have not changed very much. One point which there is disagreement is that there have been remarkable changes in the Medias use of sexual materials magazines, with pictures of scanty and clad women which have continuously been condemned by society but are now a fixture of the supermarket magazine racks. Over the years illustrations revealed more and more of the body until nudity become a style. Further, mass circulation magazines such as playgirl have broken the strong taboo against moral nudity. Where women who erotically oriented advertise and sex discussions are openly sold to adolescents students. Similar changes have occurred in movies and plays where many writers and producers now fell that one or two sex scenes are necessary for the financial success of a new production. Even television programs today openly deal with subjects that would have been shocking just a few decades ago.

When adolescents first begin to feel strong sexual argues, society forbids them to engage in heterosexual intercourse. Young males and females are not permitted to shower or sleep in the same room but these activities are permitted to members of the same sex. The encouragement of specific sex role, combined with the pressure of mate selection, makes association with the same sex less painful and embarrassing than association with the opposite sex. Some university students carry on homosexual activities without arousing the suspicion of their parents, while heterosexual activities would be out of the

question. Further, the wide spread belief that one is ether homosexual or heterosexual often causes individuals who engage in exploratory homosexual behavior to define themselves as homosexuals. And once such a self concept takes hold, its likely to persist, perhaps for lifetime. Peer pressure is another major factor that influences adolescents to engage in risky sexual behavior as well. However, adolescents who have more satisfying relationships with their mother and perceive maternal disapproval of sexual behavior delay the initiation of sexual behavior (Dittus & Jaccard, 2000). There is an agreement that the most important person who influences a decision about sexual debut depends on the stage of adolescence: parents norms are more important in early adolescence, but their influence declines with age; then peer norms become more important in later stages such as middle and late adolescence (Busch-Rossnagel, 1995). Worldwide, the sexual debut of adolescents is earlier than in past decades (CDC, 2004); however, cultural and social norms decide the trends of sexual behavior (Jessor et al., 1991). In other words, the timing of sexual initiation, decisions regarding protection from STDs and unintended pregnancy and response to adolescent pregnancy vary among cultures and societies because they are influenced by social norms (East, 1998). Therefore, the patterns of sexual behavior and goals for controlling risky sexual behavior may differ between the U.S and Indonesia because of her social norms. Indonesian adolescents reproductive institute was assigned with the

responsibility to protect adolescents from risky sexual behaviors in 1992 and during that time, adolescents sexual behaviors were 10-13% and after its operation for a period of 15 years by 2010, the results from the study conducted by the national family planning association of Indonesia found out that adolescents risky sexual behaviors were on the

increase and it had reached 51%. Its against this back ground that this research should be conducted to find out which of the three predictors of intention that is attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavior control has the highest influence on adolescents sexual behaviors so that appropriate recommendations for intervention programs can be made. In yet another development, a non government organization operating in Bandung conducted a survey about reproductive health of adolescents aged 15-21 in 2000, the survey found out that 37, 37% of adolescents surveyed acknowledged of kissing behaviors, 16,32% strongly agree with petting, and a small portion was in for intercourse. Closely related to the above, was the research by the family planning association of Indonesia in 2010 in the biggest 12 cities in Indonesia about adolescents sexuality. The findings indicated that areas around Jakarta that is Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi 51% of adolescents indulge in sexual behaviors. In Medan 66% of adolescents are no longer virgin, in Bandung, 54% of adolescents acknowledged having had sexual intercourse before marriage, and in Surabaya, 57% of adolescents are actively having intercourse. The survey added that HIV/AIDs cases are on the increase, abortions, pornography and prostitution have already caused serious threats to future generations. Adolescents are too permissive toward sexual activities as seen from different sexual forms they indulge in. Based on the data from the directorate of adolescences reproductive rights and national family planning association, 63% or 40, 64 million of adolescences in Indonesia acknowledged having had sexual intercourse before marriage. (Htt://prov.bkkbn.go.id/banten/news_detail.php?nid=83)

In a research by PKBI 2008 in all districts in Indonesia on adolescents aged 15-24 with a sample of 1000 respondents who were adolescents showed that in Bandung alone 56% of adolescents had already experienced intercourse. Traditionally, in Indonesia, pre marital sex and pregnancy before marriage are considered a stigma for both the individual and the family. These traditional beliefs are still upheld in relation to adolescents sexual behaviors. If adolescents engage in sexual behaviors and others become aware of it, its unlikely that he/she will be confronted about the choices. Instead these adolescents experience the social stigma affecting their entire future including jobs discrimination and even the would be in-laws in future. Because of these specific responses, sexually active adolescents do not reveal their sexual experiences to others. This means that if pregnancy is as a result of sexual intercourse outside marriage, abortion is considered the best solution. Adolescents sexual behaviors results into negative consequences which are biological and sociological in nature. Based on the survey done in 2004, the biological consequences of adolescents sexual behaviors is the acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases and the characteristics of the survey were adolescents aged 15 and above and a total of 2313 case, 36 percent were university students (http:/www.macromedia.com). For girls, the effects are diverse for example unwanted pregnancies, and for those who decide to carry on with their pregnancies many of the die during delivery. From 2558 cases of abortion, 58% are adolescents aged 15-24. This act is risky for those who practice it as it results into deaths due to the fact that muscles are still developing and less strong to support the development of the baby. The willingness to have a baby during early adolescence usually results into poor health conditions for the mother and the baby as well, hence a generation of unhealthy people. Psychologically, their feelings of shame,

guilty and development of poor self concepts as one evaluates the behaviors as being wrong resulting into worries and depression. (Dani, 2001). Socially, adolescents also experience the consequences ranging from hating, rejection and blacklisting of the family. Due to unwanted pregnancy, adolescents are always insulted and become socially rejected as this behavior tarnishes the good name of ones family. (Sorwono, 2002). From the institute of education, adolescents pregnancy is a sign of moral decadence. This moral decay of adolescents results into school dropout of the victim, and also frustrates the future plans as hopes become undefined. By the time of this research, the researcher had not yet met the data in support of adolescents that died as a result of unwanted pregnancy or dropped out of school, depressed or other consequences as a result of sexual behaviors of adolescents. The researcher only met some examples of adolescents who dropped out of school and those that died as a result of unwanted pregnancies. For those who drop out of school, the researcher got information from one of the lecturers Y lecturing in one of the universities in Bandung (its identity remains a secret of confidentiality to the researcher) the lecturer Y narrated that in every level he lectures, there is almost 1 or 2 student (s) who is having pregnancy outside marriage, so as a result, the university request the victims to dropout voluntarily, Mr. Y added on that there was a case where the pregnancy belonged to a class mate of which both were adolescences consequently however, both were requested to leave the university because their pregnancy was not legalized. There are many reason that explain why adolescents engage in sexual behaviors and one of them is that at that time there is increasing sexual argue. Adolescents need guidance to enable them navigates these stages of temptations. However, this guidance

has always met stiff resistance from society about the age limit at which one is supposed to receive that knowledge about sexuality as they contend that this knowledge will make them more vulnerable to sexuality as a solution is by limiting the age for marriage 16 for girls and 19 for boys. The social norms also plays an important role in preparing adolescents for marriage (education, working, mental preparations) besides that, religion is against adolescents sexual behaviors before marriage. This is reflected in parents attitudes and fear to discuss sexual issues with their children so as a result, adolescents seek for information from other sources outside their homes about sexuality, and being facilitated with inaccurate information from unreliable sources, this puts them at a continuum to have desires of experimentations of their sexuality (Ssarwono, 2002). From different studies, many characteristics of adolescents who are more likely to have sexual intercourses before marriage have been identified and among them according to the researchers form Jogjakarta, it was discovered that adolescents are having their sexual intercourse at the age of 15-18 (http://www.ac.ad/index?page=rilis&artikel=1659). Ones back ground like social economic status, academic qualifications, parents background, for adolescents who live in homes where parents are divorced are more likely than adolescents who live in homes where both parents are together to have intercourse much earlier. (papala, 2008). Schools also influence adolescents sexual behaviors, for example, adolescents who come from model schools are more likely not to have sexual intercourse before marriage (Pamela, 2008). From different studies on adolescents, it was discovered that schools whose orientation is academic success, its products are less likely to indulge in risky behaviors like smoking and intercourse. However, the phenomenon of adolescents

sexual behaviors is always common in schools whose orientation is less on academic achievement. The problem of adolescents sexual behavior is one of the biggest challenges of parents in the 21st century which need immediate serious attention. From different findings, its clear that adolescents are involving is sexual behaviors and the sexual behaviors they mean is sexual intercourse. Given this state of affairs, there is need to carry out research establish which of the three predictors of intention that is attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavior control has the highest influence on adolescents sexuality. As the findings will help to make accurate, systematic and realistic recommendations intended to stare an intervention.

1.2

Problem statement Adolescences is characterized by maturation of sexual and reproduction organs or

puberty. During puberty, adolescents develop strong desires for sexual intercourse and this period is intensified by media roles which has always displayed erotic half dressed women and men. Publications of films, magazines which are pornographic in nature makes adolescents ready to experiment what they see, hear and what their bodies dictates them to do. Psychologically, sexual behaviors are categorized, that is having interest in an individual, and this may go through stages like kissing, hugging and finally intercourse, this activity is aimed at by both parties. During their romantic relationships, adolescents usually begin this activity at the age of 14-15, occasionally, sexual behaviors that take place is always non coitus, meaning it does not involve sexual organs like holding of hands, kissing, necking until intercourse that involve sexual organs like petting and finally intercourse.

To date, there have been many researchers with findings that adolescents who have had intercourse carry with it negative consequences to those involved. And the among the consequences is sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDs, social pressure, dropping out of school, and yet for girls, the most diversify is unwanted pregnancies with its related effects like deaths, worries and depression (Dani,2001). Exceedingly, adolescents have had intercourse before marriage and are feeling the consequences and these are less like losing hopes in themselves about the future that is undefined, the reasons as to why adolescents indulge in sexual intercourse before marriage are more to an individuals initiation, for example having less information about sexuality and the desire to experiment. Factors like ones background also have got remarkable influence on adolescents sexuality, an adolescent whose orientation in academics is poor, is more likely to engage in sexual behaviors. Adolescents sexuality is also influenced by the community in which they leave, Pressure from peers friends, and situational factors like having an opportunity to have sexual intercourse. Against this background, the researcher looked ahead to discover among the three predictors of intention that is attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavior control with the highest influence on adolescents intention to sexuality. According to Ajzen (1988) behaviors can be predicted with measuring adolescents intentions toward sexuality. Intention for sexual behaviors can be used for predicting the sexual behaviors of adolescents. Intention can be observed from factors that influence it that is attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavior control, the problem in this study is:

From the three determinants of intention toward sexual behavior: attitude toward behavior, subjective norms and perceived behavior control, which one has the highest influence in the formation of sexual behavior intention?

1.3

Aims and Objectives The main aim of this research is to get the exact intention that can predict the appearance of sexual behaviors, besides that, I need to know from the three components of intention that is attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control that with the highest influence to sexual behavior. Having known the most influential predictor toward sexual behavior, the researcher will make recommendations for an intervention program intended to protect adolescence against risky sexual behaviors.

1.4. Significance of research This study is significant to the researcher as well as to policy makers as well. First, there are many studies that have examined Indonesian university students risky sexual behavior and because students are in an ambiguous position in the society. They are expected to remain ignorant about sexual intercourse by their parents and the general culture since they are, financially dependent and not married (marriage is a criterion for being an adult in society). Students are expected to behave well given their age and education. Therefore, the significances of this study are; 1. It will help identify and highlight the need for a sex behavior program for university students. As health educators, nurses and teachers can provide practical education programs to reduce risky sexual behaviors of their students.

2.

The results will be used by the ministries of health and education to design a curriculum that can empower adolescents at all educational levels with life-long skills before graduating from schools or university, thus preparing them to become socially responsible and productive citizens

3.

To determine the frequency with which sexual behaviors occurs or with which it is associated with attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control, because percentages and frequencies usually gives a clear projection to what extent the phenomena under study is occurring there by determining the intervention program process.

4.

To add on the existing knowledge of social psychology about how the concept of intention can be used to predict sexual behavior of university students so that an intervention program can be done to protect students from the risky sexual behaviors before marriage.

5.

This research will be used as a point of reference by future researchers especially those interested in studying about intention of university students and their sexual behaviors.