Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Adolescent sexuality research'

Sexuality is an integral part of health and well-being. Despite a 30-year history of adolescent sexuality research, there has been little that has focused on more than risky sexual behaviour. For example, there has been little research on conceptions of sexuality and pathways to sexual health. In part, this is because sexual health has been often defined as the lack of risky behaviour and health problems. In the studies reported here, components of female sexual health were identified and tested, including behaviours and cognitions, among groups of girls in their late teens and early 20s. After a review of the literature, four sets of factors appeared central to identifying female sexual health. These factors included sexual subjectivity, sexual agency, psychosocial well-being and sexual exploration. The first factor, sexual subjectivity, had previously been described as important to female sexual well-being, but had been developed within feminist theories and studied with qualitative methodologies. After a thorough review of the literature, no psychometrically sound measure of sexual subjectivity was found. Therefore, an instrument to assess sexual subjectivity was constructed and validated through a series of studies. Partially as expected, five factors were found - sexual body-esteem, entitlement to sexual pleasure from oneself, entitlement to sexual pleasure from a partner, sexual self-efficacy in achieving sexual pleasure, and sexual self-reflection. In additional cross-sectional and longitudinal (6-month, 2 waves) studies, associations between sexual subjectivity, sexual agency, psychosocial well-being, and sexual experience were examined. The results showed that there were concurrent associations between sexual subjectivity and measures of sexual agency and some measures of psychosocial wellbeing. Results also showed that females with more sexual experience (i.e., experience with sexual intercourse, self-masturbation, noncoital orgasmic responsiveness, and same-sex sexual experience) were relatively higher in sexual subjectivity and sexual agency. However, well-being was similar in sexual experience groups when they were compared. In longitudinal analyses, changes in sexual subjectivity, sexual agency and psychosocial well-being were examined for the whole sample and among subgroups defined by levels of sexual experience. Comparisons were also made between those girls who commenced sexual intercourse during the course of the study, those who remained virgins, and those who were nonvirgins at the first assessment. Main effects generally validated cross-sectional findings. Girls who commenced first sexual intercourse relatively earlier increased in self-esteem over time, compared to their virgin counterparts. Girls who reported a history of self-masturbation and noncoital orgasmic responsiveness, and girls who reported no history with either behaviour, increased in sexual body-esteem and self-esteem over time, but the former group of girls were relatively higher in sexual body-esteem and self-esteem than the latter group of girls. Girls who reported a history of one, but not the other of self-masturbation and noncoital orgasm did not change over time. Results also indicated that girls' transition to first sexual intercourse had little association with sexual subjectivity, but some findings were suggestive of a need for further research. Future research, and study strengths and limitations are discussed. There is a need to examine sexual subjectivity as both an antecedent and an outcome using longer time lags with several waves of assessment so that the linkages between sexual subjectivity and other factors can be determined. The implications of sexual subjectivity and sexual exploration for sexuality education are also discussed.

Sexuality is an integral part of health and well-being. Despite a 30-year history of adolescent sexuality research, there has been little that has focused on more than risky sexual behaviour. For example, there has been little research on conceptions of sexuality and pathways to sexual health. In part, this is because sexual health has been often defined as the lack of risky behaviour and health problems. In the studies reported here, components of female sexual health were identified and tested, including behaviours and cognitions, among groups of girls in their late teens and early 20s. After a review of the literature, four sets of factors appeared central to identifying female sexual health. These factors included sexual subjectivity, sexual agency, psychosocial well-being and sexual exploration. The first factor, sexual subjectivity, had previously been described as important to female sexual well-being, but had been developed within feminist theories and studied with qualitative methodologies. After a thorough review of the literature, no psychometrically sound measure of sexual subjectivity was found. Therefore, an instrument to assess sexual subjectivity was constructed and validated through a series of studies. Partially as expected, five factors were found - sexual body-esteem, entitlement to sexual pleasure from oneself, entitlement to sexual pleasure from a partner, sexual self-efficacy in achieving sexual pleasure, and sexual self-reflection. In additional cross-sectional and longitudinal (6-month, 2 waves) studies, associations between sexual subjectivity, sexual agency, psychosocial well-being, and sexual experience were examined. The results showed that there were concurrent associations between sexual subjectivity and measures of sexual agency and some measures of psychosocial wellbeing. Results also showed that females with more sexual experience (i.e., experience with sexual intercourse, self-masturbation, noncoital orgasmic responsiveness, and same-sex sexual experience) were relatively higher in sexual subjectivity and sexual agency. However, well-being was similar in sexual experience groups when they were compared. In longitudinal analyses, changes in sexual subjectivity, sexual agency and psychosocial well-being were examined for the whole sample and among subgroups defined by levels of sexual experience. Comparisons were also made between those girls who commenced sexual intercourse during the course of the study, those who remained virgins, and those who were nonvirgins at the first assessment. Main effects generally validated cross-sectional findings. Girls who commenced first sexual intercourse relatively earlier increased in self-esteem over time, compared to their virgin counterparts. Girls who reported a history of self-masturbation and noncoital orgasmic responsiveness, and girls who reported no history with either behaviour, increased in sexual body-esteem and self-esteem over time, but the former group of girls were relatively higher in sexual body-esteem and self-esteem than the latter group of girls. Girls who reported a history of one, but not the other of self-masturbation and noncoital orgasm did not change over time. Results also indicated that girls' transition to first sexual intercourse had little association with sexual subjectivity, but some findings were suggestive of a need for further research. Future research, and study strengths and limitations are discussed. There is a need to examine sexual subjectivity as both an antecedent and an outcome using longer time lags with several waves of assessment so that the linkages between sexual subjectivity and other factors can be determined. The implications of sexual subjectivity and sexual exploration for sexuality education are also discussed.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Psychology
Full Text

Magister Public Health - MPH (Public Health)
Teenage pregnancy remains a complex issue globally. According to the World Health Organisation (2014), the average global birth rate of girls aged 15-19 years was 49 per 1000 births reported globally. In South Africa, the general household survey conducted in 2014 revealed that 5.6% of females 14-19 years were reported to have been pregnant in 2013, with teenage pregnancy increasing by age from 0.8% for the age group of 14 years to 11.9% for teenagers aged 19 years. In South Africa, a range of health policies and programs exist to address teenage pregnancy, including school-based sex education, peer education programmes, adolescent friendly clinic initiatives and mass media interventions. Despite such initiatives, the number of teenagers becoming pregnant remains high. Teenage pregnancy reported in Mangaung district is 7%, which is three times more than the provincial target of 2% for teenage pregnancy. This research therefore aimed to explore the reasons behind teenage pregnancy in Heidedal, Mangaung District, Free State Province, South Africa. Two in- depth interviews were conducted, one with twelve teenage mothers and the other with four key informants who were selected based on insight and experience they possess in working with teenagers. The key informants suitable for the study included a nurse, life orientation teacher, ward councillor and a counsellor working for a non-governmental organization that supports the implementation of youth programmes in the health facility. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data and key themes, afterwards concepts were interpreted so that explanations could be constructed to answer the research aim and objectives. The study aimed to contribute to understanding reasons behind the high teenage pregnancy rates in Mangaung District. This information will be useful to policy makers in developing policies and strategies that will address factors identified to be influencing teenage pregnancy.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Florida, 2005.
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Sammandrag Bakgrund: Sexualitet är en väsentlig del av att vara människa och varje individ har rätt till en trygg och hälsosam sexualitet. Upprepade studier påvisar dock förändrade sexualvanor hos ungdomar med mer tillåtande attityder och ett ökat risktagande kring sexualitet. Konsekvenserna av ett sexuellt risktagande kan bli allvarliga och det förebyggande arbetet blir alltmer viktigt. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att identifiera vilka faktorer som har samband med ett sexuellt risktagande hos ungdomar i årskurs 2 på gymnasiet, samt att undersöka om könsskillnader förelåg. Metod: En empirisk studie med kvantitativ metod har använts. Studien bygger på ett redan insamlat material som är byggt på en enkätundersökning. Materialet har analyserats i statistikprogrammet SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) och via Chi-square test testades där huvudvariabeln, >3 sexualpartners under det senaste året, mot relevanta variabler i enkäten. En logistisk regressionsanalys gjordes för att kunna utesluta eventuella slumpmässiga samband. Resultat: Alkoholkonsumtion, narkotikaanvändning och rökning var några av de faktorer som visade sig ha ett samband med ungdomarnas sexuella risktagande. Flertalet av riksfaktorerna skilde sig mellan könen, men alkoholkonsumtion var en gemensam riskfaktor för både flickor och pojkar. Slutsats: Studien visar att följande faktorer kan leda till ett ökat sexuellt risktagande hos ungdomar: äter inte frukt, rökande storasyster, snusande bästis, använt narkotika, varit full/ varit full >3ggr, rökt vattenpipa, trivs inte med livet, röker, rökande mamma, rökande storasyster och snusar.
Abstract Background: Sexuality is an essential part of human nature and each individual has the right to a safe and healthy sexuality. Repeated studies indicate, however, altered sexual behavior among adolescents, with more permissive attitudes and an increased risk taking concerning sexuality. The consequences of a sexual risk behavior can become severe and the preventive work becomes increasingly important. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with sexual risk taking among young people in Year 2 at high school, and to examine whether gender differences existed. Method: An empirical study using a quantitative method has been used. The study is based on an already collected material that is built on a survey. The material has been analyzed in the statistical program SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and by chi-square test the main variable, >3 sexual partners during the last year, was tested against relevant variables in the survey. This was accompanied by a univariate frequency analysis to ensure the distribution and a logistic regression analysis to exclude any apparent connection. Results: Alcohol consumption, drug use and smoking were factors that appeared to be related to young people's sexual risk taking. The factors that were most significantly differed between the sexes, but alcohol consumption were a common risk factor for both girls and boys. Conclusion: The study shows that the following factors can lead to increased sexual risk-taking among young people: do not eat fruit, smoking big sister, snuff best friend, used drugs, been drunk / been completed> 3 times, smoked hookah, not happy with life, smokes, smoking mother, smoking big sister and sniffs.

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O objetivo desse estudo foi compreender as interações vivenciadas pelo adolescente para o desenvolvimento da sexualidade, na perspectiva bioecológica. Metodologia: pesquisa qualitativa, desenhada sob a influência da Psicologia do Desenvolvimento no Modelo Bioecológico do Desenvolvimento Humano de Urie Bronfenbrenner, utilizando-se da Inserção Ecológica como referencial metodológico. Foi realizada junto a 11 adolescentes de ambos os sexos, com idades de 13 a 15 anos regularmente matriculados no turno da tarde de uma escola pública de ensino fundamental do município de Pelotas/RS, devidamente autorizados pelos pais ou responsáveis no período de junho a novembro de 2015. Mediante a técnica de grupo focal, foram utilizadas dinâmicas selecionadas de material previamente existente como instrumento de pesquisa, bem como o Mapa Mínimo de Relações. Houve, também, a utilização da técnica de coleta de dados chamada observação participante e do instrumento de diário reflexivo. O software Ethnograph® foi utilizado para a codificação dos dados em categorização previamente definida pelo referencial teórico e os objetivos da pesquisa, auxiliando na etapa de interpretação. Procedeu-se a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Os adolescentes conceberam o adolescer como o desligamento da infância rumo às transformações que possibilitaram vivenciar a sexualidade. Já a sexualidade associou-se às manifestações funcionais, relacionais e afetivas com prazer genital e/ou reprodução. Na concepção dos adolescentes, o processo de adolescer e a sexualidade restringiram-se a abordagens fragmentadas e restritas aos aspectos biológicos, reproduzindo distanciamento que fragilizou o desenvolvimento. Os adolescentes interagiam com amigos, família, escola e serviço de saúde, nesta ordem de relevância. A rede social era numerosa e multifuncional, com predomínio de amigos na função de apoio social. Foram identificadas fragilidades quanto ao acolhimento do adolescente pelos contextos família, escola e serviço de saúde. A utilização de dinâmicas nos grupos focais possibilitou a livre expressão e participação dos adolescentes no próprio desenvolvimento e foram apontadas como promotoras de interação entre adolescentes e os contextos nos quais eles participavam. Para diminuir as fragilidades e potencializar seus achados, o retorno social desta pesquisa prevê a execução de atividades alicerçadas no tripé ensino, pesquisa e extensão universitária.
The objective of this study was to understand the interaction experienced by the adolescent to the development of sexuality under the bioecological perspective. Methodology: this is a qualitative research, which was designed under the influence of the Psychology of Development in the Bioecological Model of Human Development by Urie Bronfenbrenner, which also made use of Ecological Insertion as methodological framework. The study was performed together with 11 adolescents of both sexes, aging 13 to 15 years old, regularly enrolled in an elementary public school during the afternoon, in Pelotas/RS, properly authorized by their parents or responsible, from June to November 2015. Through focal group technique, dynamics selected from previous material were used as research tools, as well as Relationship Minimum Map. There was also a data collection tool called participant observation and reflexive diary. The Ethnograph® Software was used to code the data in categories previous defined by the theoretical framework and research objectives, which has helped to interpret it. Following to that, the content analysis proceeded. Results: the adolescents conceived the process of becoming an adolescent as childhood shutdown towards transformations that enable the experience of sexuality. On the other hand, this process associated to functional, relational and affective manifestations, this last one related to genital and/or reproduction pleasure. From the conception of adolescents, the process of becoming an adolescent and sexuality restrains to fragmented and restricted approaches to biological aspects, which reproduced shutdown that weak the development. The adolescents interacted to friends, family, school and health services, in this order of relevance. The social network was numerous and multifunctional, with predominance of friends as social support. It was possible to identify some fragilities that came from family, school and health services contexts while welcoming the adolescents. The use of dynamics in focal groups enabled free expression and participation in their own development, and it was pointed out as promoters of interaction among adolescents and the contexts where they participated. In order to diminish the fragilities and potentiate the findings, the social return of this research predicts the execution of activities based on the tripod of learning, research and university extension.

My Worst Ever Night at the Best School Ball Ever (School Ball) is a new play for teenage audiences. The action takes place on the night of a ball for final year students. A prank with a goat goes horribly wrong, a photo of a girl pissing in a pot plant is widely circulated, and everyone finds out about the boy in a sexual relationship with a teacher. At the heart of the play are teenagers, armed with mobile phones, trying to find their way in a contradictory and confusing world. The creative development of School Ball centred on practice-based artistic research into the field of theatre for young audiences (TYA) through my practice as a director. The research question was: how to produce taboo theatre for teenagers? School Ball was conceived as a production that would tour to schools. The school ball concept was popular with teachers, parents and theatre company board members but I encountered strong resistance to the story of a male student in a sexual relationship with a female teacher. Even though such relationships were being reported weekly in the media, the content was perceived to be taboo for young audiences. Developing School Ball investigated the complex relationships between TYA and the education system, as well as artistic and production strategies to navigate School Ball past school gatekeepers and reach its target audience. Young people are at the centre of the research practice, participating in workshops, collaborating with artists, and responding to the work. Their involvement helped make School Ball accurately reflect adolescent experiences, such as the centrality of text messaging – another taboo in the school environment. Australian TYA is considered to be at the forefront of international practice: innovative in creative process and theatrical form, imaginative and daring in content. But TYA practice is neither homogenous nor self-contained. In artistic practice, means of production and competition for audiences, TYA intersects with Theatre in Education (TIE), Young People’s Theatre (YPT), drama education, adult and commercial theatre. Part of the research aimed to understand the TYA landscape and the place of School Ball within it.

Suicide attempt and completion rates are significantly higher for the transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) population. TGNC adolescents experience many challenges and adversities, which are compounded when they live in rural communities. The lived experiences of rural TGNC adolescents with social media were unknown and created a gap in the research. This study was grounded in transgender, gender minority stress, and resiliency theories, along with the conceptual frameworks of rural communities and grit. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological qualitative research study was to explore the lived experiences of rural TGNC individuals (18-24-year-olds) with social media during adolescence. Data was collected through a brief online survey and face-to-face interviews with 9 participants. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data analysis included clustering of themes into textual and structural descriptions, as described by Giorgi. Results explored the lived experience and the essence of social media for rural TGNC adolescents. Rural TGNC adolescents reported emotional awareness and insight with both positive and negative aspects of social media, along with frustration and isolation. These results and implications may inform mental health professionals and providers about the social media experiences of rural TGNC adolescents, including how to incorporate these findings, better serve the rural TGNC population, and increase grit. These findings were also a voice for a hidden population of TGNC individuals living in rural communities during adolescence.

While members of any group of men may appear to be ordinary gendered examples of humanity, behind their physical similarities lie many socio-political and familial differences; thus it is only by knowing such men as individuals that their identities are revealed. Such is the aim of this thesis: to discover the 'real man' behind the statistics about sex-roles and the predominance of male characters in children's and adolescents' literature. From within a selection of Spanish texts a variety of male characters are analysed, focusing on six major roles: father, grandfather, imaginary friend, detective, outlaw or similar marginalised man, and foreign other, with particular attention paid to the Gypsy. All the chapters are linked by the Bakhtinian theory that dialogue with the other leads to the development of a character's or potential reader's sense of identity. The first chapter, concerning fatherhood, is related to a person's sense of intrinsic identity, given with their name and genetic heritage. The grandfather represents a similar sense of family continuity, as well as enabling the young reader to understand Spain's recent historical and rural past. An imaginary friend may symbolise an aspect of identity concerned with a child's ability to achieve a goal or to occupy a special place within the family. Detective stories are analogous to the young person's developing identity as a reader able to decipher the mysteries of texts, whilst marginalised men typify children themselves: persons who have neither status nor money, but who are able to indulge in carnivalistic behaviour which adults call 'play.' The development of one's sense of national identity is fomented through interaction with texts about foreigners who have contributed to Spain's growth as a nation from pre-historic times to the present. A brief critical evaluation of the role of women in detective fiction and as marginalised figures is offered by way of contrast in the appropriate chapters. The thesis concludes that, when analysed as individuals, many male characters demonstrate traits not traditionally considered masculine, and that it is necessary to look beyond mere representations of gender in judging the value of characters in literature for children and adolescents.
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Subjektyvių seksualumo išgyvenimų paauglystėje analizė nėra dažna tema psichologinių tyrimų lauke. Tačiau tai nereiškia, kad turėtume sutikti su paplitusia, tačiau mokslinę žiūrą ribojančia perspektyva, seksualumą tapatinančia tik su seksualine elgsena. Šioje disertacijoje atsisakoma išankstinių nuostatų paauglių seksualumą vertinti tik kaip problematišką ir rizikingą reiškinį. Kaip heteroseksualios mergaitės išgyvena savo seksualumą viduriniosios paauglystės laikotarpiu (14-17m.)? Kaip jų seksualumas atsiskleidžia kasdienybėje? Atsakymams atrasti šiame tyrime pasitelkta kokybinio tęstinio tyrimo strategija ir interpretacinės fenomenologinės analizės metodas. 9 tyrimo dalyvių interviu medžiaga atskleidė, jog 14 -15 m. amžiuje seksualumo patirtis galima struktūruoti kaip keturias metatemas: fizinio seksualumo atpažinimą; seksualios Aš fragmentiškumą; seksualumo patyrimą kaip santykio Aš-priešingos lyties KITAS, dalį; buvimo seksualia, bet ne „pasileidusia“: naujo tapatumo paieškas. Disertacijoje formuluojama žvilgsnio situacijos koncepcija, aiškinanti seksualios Aš įsisąmoninimą. Pristatomas nuoseklus buvimą ir tapsmą seksualia paaugle iliustruojantis atvejis.
The experience of sexuality in adolescence is not a frequent research object in the field of psychological inquiry. However, it does not mean that we must accept the narrow identification of sexuality with the sexual behavior. The discourse of this thesis denies the prejudices to see adolescent sexuality as the problematic and risky phenomenon only. How the girls undergo their experience of sexuality in mid-adolescence (age 14-17)? The novel strategy of the developmental longitudinal qualitative research and the method of interpretative phenomenological analysis were selected to answer this question. The findings of nine girls (age of 14-15) interview revealed that sexual experience can be structured as four meta-themes: a) recognition of physical sexuality; b) a fragmented sexual Self; c) sexual experience as a part of intersubjective relation between SELF and the opposite sex OTHER; d) a dilemma of being sexual, but not „promiscuous“: search for a new identity. The material provides new data on the first conscious sexual experiences, conceptualized as a gaze situation. The processes of being and becoming a sexual person are uncovered through the coherent case study.

The aim of this African culturally based research is to establish whether a group of unmarried pregnant teenage girls experience rejection during their period of pregnancy as well as to determine whether they experienced rejection for whatever reason before falling pregnant. Seen in the context of the communal and person-centred life view as upheld by the African culture where respect for and well-being of the individual within the tribal and extended family structure is paramount, one would expect that unmarried girls finding themselves in a precarious situation such as premature pregnancy would experience understanding, acceptance and support. The research is quantitative as well as qualitative. The quantitative research focuses on 341 grade 11-leamers at seven secondary schools in the Free State Province of Education as well as in the Gauteng Department of Education. Questionnaires were presented with the aim of establishing the reason for teenage pregnancy; to research the thoughts, feelings and actions of the peer group toward pregnant teenage girls; to determine the presence of feelings of rejection of a group of pregnant teenage girls at the same schools; to determine the thoughts the girls have about themselves as well as about the future. On account of the fact that that the responses of the pregnant girls seemingly contradicted the responses given by the grade 11-peer group sample it was decided to supplement the quantitative research result with a qualitative research investigation by means of focus group interviews conducted with twelve willing to participate pregnant girls at two ofthe secondary schools who voluntarily agreed to participate. The research result indicates that although the pregnant girls did not experience rejection before falling pregnant they did however experience rejection after falling pregnant, especially from the peer group at school, educators, and certain sections of society. Although the parents of these girls were initially offended and reluctant, their attitude toward the pregnancy changed to include acceptance and even support.
M.A. Psychology, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents about sexuality and sexually transmitted infections, which probably contribute towards the high incidence of sexually transmitted infections amongst this group.The study was designed as a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research. A focus group interview and unstructured observation were used to collect data, using a nonprobability snowball sample. The group consisted of 12 male and female adolescents residing in a specific geographical area in Pretoria and attending different high schools. Recommendations made focus on: the approach to sex education programmes factors that need to be addressed in order to improve adolescent sexual health empowerment strategies of teachers, parents and community leaders on adolescent sexuality and sexually transmitted infections so that in turn, they should be able to empower adolescents on their sexual roles and thus make informed choices The impact of implementing the recommendations will benefit individuals, families and communities.
Health Studies
M.A.(Health Studies)

Good sexual and reproductive health is fundamental to the overall health status of Māori communities. In 2001, the Ministry of Health reported that New Zealand was facing a Chlamydia epidemic. This epidemic has not abated as rates of Chlamydia have increased significantly in the past five years, with disproportionately high rates in young Māori women compared to non-Māori women. Despite significant sexual health disparities, young Māori have had limited opportunities to participate in research focussed on sexual health and voice their opinions and concerns on sexual health issues. This qualitative descriptive study has used a Māori inquiry paradigm and approached the research from a Kaupapa Māori perspective. The primary research question asked what the knowledge, attitudes and reported behaviours of young urban Māori women were in regards to sexual health and in particular, the sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia. Secondary aims were to ascertain the sources of information used and accessibility of sexual health services, as well as identifying resilience factors associated with protection against Chlamydia infection. The data was collected from semi-structured interviews with 16 young Māori women living in the Auckland region. Data analysis involved the inductive approach of categorical content analysis to identify major categorical themes to answer the specific questions posed. The main conclusion was that there are a number of barriers to accessing quality sexual health information and services for young Māori women. Participants’ level of knowledge varied reflecting their personal experiences and many were unaware that Chlamydia is asymptomatic and that delayed diagnosis can lead to fertility problems. The main sources of sexual health information accessed were whānau, peers, school, and contact with health professionals. Racism was identified as one of the barriers to sexual healthcare services. The young women expressed a clear preference for sexual health services to be delivered by Māori. Most importantly, for sexual health interventions to be successful it is essential that Māori communities, including young people and their whānau, are an integral part of creating positive solutions. Resilience factors that may help protect young women from contracting chlamydia characteristic of this group were having a strong connection with a caring adult or friend and parents who viewed sexuality as a normal part of adolescent development. In addition, having a positive Māori cultural identity with an ability to understand bicultural differences was strongly associated with participants accessing sexual healthcare services despite identified barriers.

No
This paper considers the ethical tensions present when engaging in in-depth interviews with convicted sex offenders. Many of the issues described below are similar to those found in other sensitive areas of research. However, confidentiality and public protection are matters that require detailed consideration when the desire to know more about men who have committed serious and harmful offences is set against the possibility of a researcher not disclosing previously unknown sensitive information that relates to the risk of someone being harmed.

This study evaluates a sex education programme administered in an Indian high school. To this end, a literature search, empirical study and qualitative data were used to measure the effectiveness of the Education for Living programme. Adolescents are blamed for having pennissive attitudes, or for indulging in amoral sexual behaviour without considering the consequences. The fact is, sexual development of young people is affected in a fundamental sense by what is taking place around them. Many of the taboos, which operated in society years ago, have disappeared. This study looks into the history of the South African Indian community. In particular, this study focuses on the community's values, attitudes and traditional practices toward sexuality, sex and marriage. It further highlights how the processes of westemisation and modernisation have eroded many of these aspects of traditional Indian culture. The study concludes by examining the emergence of new-found patterns of behaviour and attitudes. It is not the intention of this study to provide any conclusive documentation on the subject of the Indian adolescent. However the major findings of this study have been fommlated as recommendations and implications for further research. Since sexuality is an ever-changing, life-long experience, there is a need for continuous acquisition of accurate sexual knowledge. Carefully designed programmes may serve to allay fears, dispel myths, diminish confusion, enhance communication within families and promote health and wellbeing across generations.
Social Work
M.A. (SS) (Mental Health)