Associations between Youth Assets and Sexual Activity: Does Adult Supervision play a Role? - Article Review

This article review examines the relationship between sexual activity and nine youth assets and tries to find out how this relationship can vary by stratifying youth into two major groups, namely, supervised and self-care.

Running Head: PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT – ARTICLE REVIEW
Psychology Assignment – Article Review
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT – ARTICLE REVIEW
Harris, L., Oman, R. F., Vesely, S. K., Tolma, E. L., Aspy, C. B., Rodine, S. & Fluhr, J.
(2007). Associations between youth assets and sexual activity: does adult supervision
play a role?. Child: care, health and development, 33(4), 448-454.
The first article that I have attempted to review is, “Associations between Youth
Assets and Sexual Activity: Does Adult Supervision play a Role?” Youth preoccupation with
risky sexual behavior constitutes a critical topic for researchers on public health. More and
more young people are being left to their own devices for long hours in a day, without any
kind of adult monitoring or supervision. This in turn is increasing opportunities for them for
undertaking risky sexual activities. It is important to analyze the importance and scope of
adult supervision in such instances, to prevent the onset of unavoidable and undesirable
problems like early pregnancy.
Background
The prevalence among teenagers to engage in risky sexual behavior is something that
as intrigued public health researchers for quite some time now. Recent data reveals that quite
a large number of youth these days take part in risky sexual activities and on a regular basis.
Approximately forty seven percent of children studying in grades nine to twelve were seen to
participate in risky sexual undertakings in 2003. This research article examines the
relationship between sexual activity and nine youth assets and tries to find out how this
relationship can vary by stratifying youth into two major groups, namely, supervised and self-
care.

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Research Design and Methods
To conduct this study, the researchers collected data from as many as 1350
households. A random sample of people was selected for the study. Every household
comprised of one teen child and parent pair, was situated in the inner part of two very well
known cities in the American Mid-West, having a population of approximately 500,000
people. One parent as well as one child from each and every household was selected to
participate in the interview process. Thereafter these interviews were carried out in the home
of each participant using a computerized system for data collection. The interviews for both
parent and youth were conducted simultaneously but in different parts of the house.
Results
Of the youth belonging to the self care group and who remained unsupervised at home
for at least two hours in the day or longer, 61% reported that they had never taken part in
sexual behavior This figure was significantly lower compared to the 72% of the supervised
group who reported as not to have taken part in any kind of sexual activity. With increasing
age, the percentage of youth who had never partaken in sexual activity decreased
substantially for both the supervised strata and the self governed strata. In the case of those
belonging to the strata of self care, the proportion of those who reported not to have taken
part in sexual activity is what increased quite a bit with an increase in household income. In
the case of youth who were supervised however, an important difference was detected
between the experience of never having sex and the parents’ level of education. Young
people who had parents having at least a college degree or diploma or a school degree or
diploma reported to have never had sex while those whose parents were poorly educated
reported to be taking part in sexual activity quite frequently. The proportion that reported

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never to have had sex was higher among youth belonging to two parent households in
comparison to those belonging to a one-parent household, for both the strata.
Discussion
Each of the different nine assets included in the study were found to be associated
with not ever having had sex among the youth belonging to the supervised stratum. Youth
belonging to the supervised lot with any or all of these nine assets demonstrated an increasing
likelihood to report as to never having sex, compared to those without any of the respective
assets. Adult supervision related to strong relationships and highly structured activities
between youth and adults who could influence the association between sexual activity and
assets. Conversely, the findings from this study revealed that the association between risky
behavior and assets was not at all significant for the youth who belong to the self-care strata.
The youth who were left unsupervised could still have role models or take part in certain
healthy and constructive activities after school. However, they were still left alone for long
hours in the day. Thus, most of the youth asset relationships are those that may not be related
in any way with the decision to engage in any kind of sexual activity.

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Tolma, E. L., Oman, R. F., Vesely, S. K., Aspy, C. B., Beebe, L., & Fluhr, J. (2011). Parental
youth assets and sexual activity: differences by race/ethnicity. American journal of
health behavior, 35(5), 513-524
The second article that I have chosen to review and to summarize is, “Parental Youth
Assets and Sexual Activity: Differences by Race/Ethnicity”. Risky sexual behavior on the
part of the youth these days is on the rise and must be taken note of immediately in order to
combat a number of dire situations that can occur as a result of this, like teen pregnancies,
high rate of school drop outs etc. Parents must take a role in supervising their children and
making sure they don’t engage in the too much sexual activity as this is dangerous for their
physical and mental wellbeing.
Background
If sexual policies and interventions need to be effectively developed, then
interventions that entail the involvement of family members becomes necessary. This is
especially so because school based intervention programs regarding youth sexual behavior
are known to have very little impact. Teen pregnancy and risky sexual behavior among teens
is something that has now become a public health problem. This particular research aims at
examining the relationship between youth sexual activity and youth assets that are related to
parents differed by race or ethnicity.
Research Methods and Design
This research was carried out by interviewing a sample population of 976 people comprising
of youth and their parents. This sample population resides in a mid western city. The

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researchers made use of multivariate logistical regression analysis that were conducted for as
many as three major ethnic groups, with other demographics being controlled.
Results of the Study
It was seen by the researchers upon carrying out this study that parental monitoring or
supervision is something that is very strongly associated with the experience of sexual
abstinence for all the three important ethnic groups that were involved in the study. The
relationship with the mother and communication within the family were seen to be
particularly important in this respected for both the black and the white youth population
respectively.
Discussion
The researchers conclude that parental youth assets, especially the activity of parental
monitoring and supervision, is something that plays a really vital role when it comes to
preventing or delaying sexual intercourse. Youth who share healthy relationships with their
parents and family members and abide by family rules and regulations, who adhere to their
parents instructions and obey them are seen to be much less affected by the problem of risky
sexual behavior and its related problems.

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References
Harris, L., Oman, R. F., Vesely, S. K., Tolma, E. L., Aspy, C. B., Rodine, S. & Fluhr, J.
(2007). Associations between youth assets and sexual activity: does adult supervision
play a role?. Child: care, health and development, 33(4), 448-454.
Tolma, E. L., Oman, R. F., Vesely, S. K., Aspy, C. B., Beebe, L., & Fluhr, J. (2011). Parental
youth assets and sexual activity: differences by race/ethnicity. American journal of
health behavior, 35(5), 513-524