Causes of Decreased Abstinence in Young People with High-Risk Sexual Behavior: A Qualitative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student of Counseling, Department of Counseling, Qeshm Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qeshm, Iran.

2 Professor in, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Educational Science, Qeshm Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qeshm, Iran.

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of young people engaging in high-risk sexual behavior.
 
Method: The qualitative approach employed in this study utilized Grounded Theory. Sixteen adolescents engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, willing to cooperate with the researcher, were selected using the theoretical sampling method. These individuals were extensively examined through semi-structured interviews. Following the data analysis using Strauss and Corbin's (1990) method, a total of 58 concepts, 15 primary categories, and three secondary categories were extracted.
 
Results: The identified categories were as follows: 1- Predisposing factors (weakness of religious beliefs, structural family problems, sexual experiences and awareness in childhood, childhood abuse, and developmental problems); 2. Involving factors (access to sexual stimuli, the impact of friendships, normalization and reduction of shame and guilt, low self-esteem or sexual audacity, poor sexual awareness and attitude, and easy access to sex); And 3- The existence of sexual perversions (having experiences of sexual perversions, gaining emotional rewards, having sexual temptations, and seeking maximum sexual excitement).
 
Conclusion: It can be concluded that high-risk sexual behavior is caused by the interaction of several factors, and preventing such behaviors requires joint cooperation from family, school, and the community.
 

Keywords


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