Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical - ETR Associates

8 Improving IntentionsKeys to Improving IntentionsNot have sexHave sex with a condomHave sex with othercontraceptionHave unprotected sexDon’t knowImprove risk and protective factors affectingintentions (see other factors), have youthidentify their personal sexual intentions, andhave them identify strategies for overcomingpossible barriers to implementing thoseintentions.BackgroundIntentions are courses of actions that people expectto follow. If people intend to do something, theyare more likely to actually do it than if they do notintend to do it. This basic principle is a centerpieceof important theories of health behavior (e.g., thetheory of reasoned action (Fishbein and Ajzen1975), the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen andMadden 1986), and the information-motivationbehavioralskills model (Fisher and Fisher 1992),which are commonly used to develop effectivecurriculum-based sex and STD/HIV educationprograms (Kirby, Laris et al. 2006). Across a varietyof health fields, a great amount of empirical evidencesupporting these theories and the fact that intentionsdirectly affect behavior (Armitage and Conner2001; Backman, Haddad et al. 2002). Many ofthese same theories demonstrate that intentions areaffected by the factors discussed in previous chapters—e.g.,knowledge, perceptions of risk, attitudes,norms and self-efficacy.Although intentions strongly influence behavior, theextent to which they affect behavior may depend onat least three things:1. The strength of the intentions. For example, ifyouth strongly intend to remain abstinent untilthey are older, they are more likely to remainabstinent than if they have only weak intentionsto remain abstinent. Alternatively, if youthstrongly intend to use condoms if they have sexualintercourse, they are more likely to use condomsthan if they have weaker intentions. Thus, it isimportant to increase the strength of healthyintentions.2. The skills or capability of the individuals toimplement their intentions. For example, youthmay intend to remain abstinent, but if they donot have the skills to avoid or get out of situationsthat might lead to unintended sexual contact,then they are less likely to remain abstinent.Similarly, teens may intend to use condoms, but ifthey do not know how to insist on their use or donot know how to use them, their good intentionsmay not be fulfilled.3. Environmental support for the intentions.Whether or not intentions are translated intobehavior may depend on whether or not theenvironment thwarts or encourages the intendedbehavior. For example, young teens may intend tohave sexual intercourse, but if they are properlyChapter 8 Improving Intentions 99