Relations between Sexual Attitudes, Gender, and Sexual Behaviour Concepts of Older Adolescents

Abstract

A cognitive developmental model of sexual behaviour understanding was used to evaluate sexual attitudes in relation to sexuality development. Relations were established between sexual concept development and sexual attitudes among older adolescents. Gender differences were supported in sexual concept development and sexual attitudes and a differential alignment was found for sexual concepts and gender in relation to sexual attitudes. The multidimensionality of sexual attitudes was supported and results suggested the utility of differentiating General Permissiveness from Premarital Permissiveness in the study of sexual attitudes and adolescent sexuality development.