Memorable Messages about Pregnancy and Abortion from the Perspective of College-Enrolled Emerging Adults

Emerging adults are the age group in the U.S. most likely to become pregnant, have a child, receive abortions, and be most supportive of legal abortion. To gain insight into these seemingly contradictory facts and attitudes, this study examines emerging adults' memorable messages about abortion and pregnancy to understand the beliefs, norms, values, and expectations circulating for younger adults. Ninety-two emerging adult college students provided memorable messages about both abortion and pregnancy. Utilizing thematic co-occurrence analysis, messages about pregnancy and abortion were characterized by three themes: political ideologies of sex, healthcare experience, and life-changing. Emerging adults described the messages as making them feel knowledgeable, empowered, and scared. Two theoretical relationships were identified: (1) pregnancy is connected to the political ideologies of sex with reactions of feeling empowered and scared and (2) abortion is connected to the politics of sex and the reactions of feeling knowledgeable and scared. Theoretical implications for the theory of memorable messages and practical applications for emerging adults are discussed.

Black Women's Sexual Communication: Retrospective Accounts of Messages from Male and Female Family Members

The study used Black feminist theory and methods to examine messages about the composition of, and potential differences in the sexual health that Black women received from male and female loved ones. Black feminist theory grounded the study by ensuring Black women were involved in research team composition, design, recruitment, and data analysis. Our inductive thematic analysis of focus group data from 24 Black women revealed seven themes: Indirect Communication, Absence of Communication, Messages to Shield, and Prepare from male figures. The themes from female figures included: Absence of Communication, Open Communication, and Empowerment, Pleasure, and Judgment-Free Communication. A seventh theme that connected across gender focused on Objectification and Gender Stereotypes. Findings of the study suggest that there is a need for greater focus on improving family communication about sex for Black women and the need to center communication that empowers Black women to engage in healthy sexual practices.

Multilevel Barriers to Sexual Health Behavior Among Vulnerable Adolescent Girls in the USA

Introduction

Most sexual health interventions focus on individual-level predictors of sexual behavior. Given the considerable influence of environmental factors on adolescent girls' sexual health, current interventions may be insufficient to promote safer sex. In this study, we aimed to understand adolescent girls' anticipated barriers to engaging in safer sex behavior after completing a brief, web-based sexual health intervention called HEART.

Methods

This study used qualitative interviews with 50 adolescent girls who were recruited from community-based organizations that serve vulnerable youth. All participants were 12 to 19 years old (mean age=15.62, SD=1.83), and identified with a marginalized racial/ethnic group (58% Black; 18% Latinx; 24% Asian, biracial, or multiracial). Further, 24% identified as LGBTQ+, and 58% were sexually active.

Results

Guided by the social ecological model, we delineate six unique barriers to safer sex discussed by adolescents: partner manipulation, slut shaming, unclear sexual values, present time orientation, embarrassment, and access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Discussion

We conclude with recommendations for addressing these barriers to optimize adolescent girls' sexual health.