Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical - ETR Associates

sex, report their results so that they do not believethat students their age are as likely to have hadsex as seniors.In addition, even when a majority or peers hasengaged in some unhealthy behavior, their attitudesabout that behavior might be more protective,and thus a better candidate for publicizingthis norm.Assess gaps between actual behavior and perceivedbehavior and between actual beliefs andperceived beliefs. Report on reasons why youthdo not engage in sexual activity (or always usecondoms or contraception) and strategies they useto avoid engaging in sexual activity (or always usecondoms and contraception).2. Target appropriate people with the survey results.Certainly they include peers, but they may alsoinclude teachers, parents and others who mightpass on incorrect perceptions about teen sexualbehavior.3. Develop and pilot-test messages, materials, andactivities before using them. Include as many ofthe desirable characteristics of messages describedabove as appropriate.4. Use in-class activities, posters, school newspaperarticles and the Internet to transmit crediblenormative messages based on the research. Ifappropriate, also use peer educators, teachers,parents and others who are credible to convey themessages.5. Change messages and activities periodically toavoid habituation.How has perception of peer norms beenmeasured?In Table 6-4 are illustrative items that have beenused to measure adolescents’ perceptions of peernorms. They may help curriculum developersidentify more specific elements that programs andtheir associated research have addressed and helpresearchers conduct formative evaluations.ConclusionsMultiple studies have consistently demonstrated thatteen perceptions of their peers’ norms about sexualactivity and condom or contraceptive use do affecttheir own sexual and contraceptive behavior. A fewstudies have demonstrated that sometimes, but notalways, there is a gap between actual peer norms andbehavior and teens’ perceptions of those norms andbehavior. The social norms approach and studies inother health areas have demonstrated that changingteen perceptions of peer norms and reducing thatgap (if it exists) can reduce risk behavior. In addition,studies have demonstrated that multiple programshave both changed peer norms about havingsexual intercourse and about condom and contraceptiveuse and also changed sexual and condom andcontraceptive behavior. The most common types ofactivities used to address perceptions of peer normsinclude modeling desired norms through a varietyof mechanisms and conducting polls to present datathat help counter incorrect perceptions of norms.80 Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical Guide for Developing and Adapting Curriculum-Based Programs