Adolescent Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes towards Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol

Abstract

Appreciating the complex nature of adolescent high-risk behaviour can have far reaching implications for the development of effective educational programming. The purpose of this study was to examine the general knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18, from seven central Alberta junior and senior high schools, regarding high-risk behaviours of sexual activity, alcohol use, and marijuana use. Descriptive statistics were used to interpret the data. Overall, results revealed that adolescents have some inaccurate perspectives about topics related to their sexual health and substance use. Based on this study, there are some inconsistencies between adolescent perspectives and what they are expected to know according curricular objectives on sexual health and substance us. There are also some inconsistencies between senior high student and junior high student perspectives. Adolescents also provided valuable input into their perspectives on what they believe is of concern regarding their sexual health and substance use, including what they believe they need to learn more about, and whom they believe is the best suited to educate them on these matters.