Abstract

DIAS, Sónia; MATOS, Margarida Gaspar de  and  GONCALVES, Aldina. Percepção dos adolescentes acerca da influência dos pais e pares nos seus comportamentos sexuais . Aná. Psicológica [online]. 2007, vol.25, n.4, pp.625-634. ISSN 0870-8231.

The purpose of this study is to examine the adolescents’ perceptions of parental and peers influence on theirs sexual behaviours. The study utilised “focus groups” qualitative methods from a sample of 72 adolescents from secondary schools in Portugal. The themes of focus group are discussed in terms of family and peers protective and risk factors in sexual behaviour. Adolescents identified several family factors, such as parent’s socio-economic status, family connectedness, parent-child communication, parenting style, and peers factors, such as peer communication, peer norms, and peer pressure, that influence adolescents’ sexual protective or risk behaviour. The results are consistent with a growing body of literature that highlights the impact of parents and peers in adolescents’ sexual behaviour. These findings lend support for the design and implementation of family-based approaches to promoting healthy adolescent sexual behaviour and reduce the impact of risky friendships.

Keywords : Adolescence; sexual behaviour; parental and peers’ influence.

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