hrvatski

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Association between Adolescents’ Use of Sexually Explicit Material and Risky Sexual Behaviors

Accessibility of online sexually explicit material (SEM) has facilitated its widespread use among adolescents. Potential SEM-related harms to adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health, as well as to healthy psychosocial development, have been recognized—resulting in growing concerns. Currently, the link between SEM use and sexual risk taking has been predominantly explored using cross-sectional design. Only a few longitudinal studies have addressed the issue, which is an impediment to understanding the potential problem considering that experimental studies in this field are almost impossible due to ethical implications. According to the sexual scripts theory and its recent specification in the context of SEM use (the 3AM conceptual model), SEM-related portrayals of (often risky) sexual practices may serve as symbolic guidelines to encourage, justify or normalize similar behavior among some adolescents. This study aims to assess associations between the frequency of SEM use and sexual risk taking among Croatian adolescents using a longitudinal design. The data were collected in the PROBIOPS research project (Prospective Biopsychosocial Study of the Effects of Sexually Explicit Material on Young People’s Sexual Socialization and Health ; 2015-2018), using two independent 6-waves panels from Rijeka (14 high-schools ; nT0 = 1, 287) and Zagreb (59 high- schools ; nT0 = 2, 235). The data in Rijeka were collected using classroom-based survey and in Zagreb using online survey. Target associations were analyzed by multilevel logistic regression analysis with lagged approach and latent growth curve modeling. Multilevel regression modeling resulted in nonsignificant temporal associations between SEM use and multiple sexual partner in the Rijeka and Zagreb panels. Nonsignificant temporal associations between SEM use and condom use at most recent sexual intercourse were also observed in the both panels. Using latent growth curve modeling, we found a significant longitudinal association between the frequency of SEM use and a composite sexual risk taking scale scores among male adolescents in the Rijeka panel. In the discussion, the results are contextualized according to the proposed theoretical framework. Following a comprehensive assessment of study limitations, recommendations for future research and practical educational policy implications and suggested in the concluding section.

Sexually Explicit Material, Adolescence, Risky Sexual Behavior, Longitudinal Analysis

Doktorska disertacija oblikovana po skandinavskom modelu.

engleski

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Association between Adolescents’ Use of Sexually Explicit Material and Risky Sexual Behaviors

Accessibility of online sexually explicit material (SEM) has facilitated its widespread use among adolescents. Potential SEM-related harms to adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health, as well as to healthy psychosocial development, have been recognized—resulting in growing concerns. Currently, the link between SEM use and sexual risk taking has been predominantly explored using cross-sectional design. Only a few longitudinal studies have addressed the issue, which is an impediment to understanding the potential problem considering that experimental studies in this field are almost impossible due to ethical implications. According to the sexual scripts theory and its recent specification in the context of SEM use (the 3AM conceptual model), SEM-related portrayals of (often risky) sexual practices may serve as symbolic guidelines to encourage, justify or normalize similar behavior among some adolescents. This study aims to assess associations between the frequency of SEM use and sexual risk taking among Croatian adolescents using a longitudinal design. The data were collected in the PROBIOPS research project (Prospective Biopsychosocial Study of the Effects of Sexually Explicit Material on Young People’s Sexual Socialization and Health ; 2015-2018), using two independent 6-waves panels from Rijeka (14 high-schools ; nT0 = 1, 287) and Zagreb (59 high- schools ; nT0 = 2, 235). The data in Rijeka were collected using classroom-based survey and in Zagreb using online survey. Target associations were analyzed by multilevel logistic regression analysis with lagged approach and latent growth curve modeling. Multilevel regression modeling resulted in nonsignificant temporal associations between SEM use and multiple sexual partner in the Rijeka and Zagreb panels. Nonsignificant temporal associations between SEM use and condom use at most recent sexual intercourse were also observed in the both panels. Using latent growth curve modeling, we found a significant longitudinal association between the frequency of SEM use and a composite sexual risk taking scale scores among male adolescents in the Rijeka panel. In the discussion, the results are contextualized according to the proposed theoretical framework. Following a comprehensive assessment of study limitations, recommendations for future research and practical educational policy implications and suggested in the concluding section.

Sexually Explicit Material, Adolescence, Risky Sexual Behavior, Longitudinal Analysis

Doktorska disertacija oblikovana po skandinavskom modelu.