Introduction: In recent years, researchers and practitioners have focused much attention on abstinence education programs. Although such programs often operate under the assumption that sexually active students can transition to being sexually inactive, this assumption has not been thoroughly addressed in the scientific community. The practice of sexual abstinence following the initiation of intercourse (and often a period of sexual activity) is termed secondary abstinence. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the experiences of college students with secondary abstinence. Methods: A convenience sample of 16 undergraduate students (ages 18-24) from a university in Texas participated in interviews lasting 45-75 minutes. (Data collection is scheduled to end August 2005.) Participants described their experiences with secondary abstinence, their motivations for choosing abstinence, and factors that supported or hindered their practice of abstinence. Data were divided into individual units (the smallest “pieces” capable of standing alone), and were separated and categorized by themes using a “constant comparison method” (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). When possible, quotations from participants were used to label themes. Results: Participants identified several factors that motivated practice of secondary abstinence, including: desire to feel better about one's self, religion (specifically Christianity), previous negative experiences with sexual activity in relationships, desire for academic success, avoidance of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, desire to maintain power in relationships, and concern for the feelings of one's future spouse. Participants also described supporting and hindering factors. Supporting/facilitating factors included support of a current partner, God, friends, parents/family, fear of STIs or pregnancy, self-image, guilt, reading the Bible, church environments, negative experiences in the past, avoidance of alcohol, lack of opportunity, maturity, and others' positive reactions to their decision. Hindering factors included lack of support from friends, hormones and physical attraction, alcohol use, a college environment where sex is perceived to be widely accepted, opportunity, and in some cases, pressure from a partner. Conclusion: Results offer insight into the previously unexplored concept of secondary abstinence. This information has potential for translation into practice through highlighting factors that could be emphasized in future attempts to promote sexual abstinence among youth.
Learning Objectives The learner will be able to describe: (1) factors study participants identified as motivating secondary abstinence. (2) factors study participants identified as supporting/facilitating the practice of secondary abstinence. (3) factors study participants identified as hindering the practice of secondary abstinence.