Skip to main content

Main menu

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • Other Publications
    • abfm

User menu

Search

  • Advanced search
American Board of Family Medicine
  • Other Publications
    • abfm
American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

Advanced Search

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • JABFM on Bluesky
  • JABFM On Facebook
  • JABFM On Twitter
  • JABFM On YouTube
Research ArticleOriginal Article

First Coitus for Adolescents: Understanding Why and When

Elizabeth Alexander and John Hickner
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice March 1997, 10 (2) 96-103; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.10.2.96
Elizabeth Alexander
From the Department of Family Practice (EA,JH), College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing. Address reprint requests to Elizabeth Alexander, MD, MS, D-132 West Fee Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1315
MD, MS
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
John Hickner
From the Department of Family Practice (EA,JH), College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing. Address reprint requests to Elizabeth Alexander, MD, MS, D-132 West Fee Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1315
MD, MS
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

Background: Correlates of initiation of coitus for teenagers were examined, and participants were asked their reasons for initiating or postponing the onset of coitus.

Methods: Questionnaires were completed privately by 218 patients aged 13 to 18 years. Questions explored the reasons adolescents cite for their sexual decisions and the role of peer influence in these decisions.

Results: Correlation was noted in young teenagers between perception of peer sexual behavior and participant's initiation of coitus. Reasons stated for engaging in first intercourse reflect both active choices and loss of control. Reasons for refraining included fear of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, lack of developmental readiness and opportunity, and social sanctions. Morality was cited infrequently as a reason for postponing sexual behavior.

Conclusions: Results suggest that sexuality education should address the direct and curious questions of younger teenagers about sexuality, help youth define strategies that they can use to evaluate and resist peer pressure, and give more generalized attention to ways of helping youth feel competent. Physicians and other health educators might focus on helping older youth define how and when they know they are ready to have intercourse, consider ways of expressing sexuality that do not jeopardize health, and improve communication skills when talking with friends and potential partners about sexual issues.

PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

The Journal of the American Board of Family     Practice: 10 (2)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
Vol. 10, Issue 2
1 Mar 1997
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • Index by author
  • Front Matter (PDF)
  • Back Matter (PDF)
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Board of Family Medicine.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
First Coitus for Adolescents: Understanding Why and When
(Your Name) has sent you a message from American Board of Family Medicine
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Board of Family Medicine web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
6 + 9 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
Citation Tools
First Coitus for Adolescents: Understanding Why and When
Elizabeth Alexander, John Hickner
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Mar 1997, 10 (2) 96-103; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.10.2.96

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
First Coitus for Adolescents: Understanding Why and When
Elizabeth Alexander, John Hickner
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Mar 1997, 10 (2) 96-103; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.10.2.96
Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Jump to section

  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Screening for Bipolar Disorder in Patients Treated for Depression in a Family Medicine Clinic
  • Screening for Dementia: Family Caregiver Questionnaires Reliably Predict Dementia
  • Help-Seeking for Insomnia among Adult Patients in Primary Care
Show more Original Articles

Similar Articles

Navigate

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues

Authors & Reviewers

  • Info For Authors
  • Info For Reviewers
  • Submit A Manuscript/Review

Other Services

  • Get Email Alerts
  • Classifieds
  • Reprints and Permissions

Other Resources

  • Forms
  • Contact Us
  • ABFM News

© 2025 American Board of Family Medicine

Powered by HighWire