Development of a Self-Determination Theory Measure of Adolescent’s Motivations to Abstain from Sex and Alcohol

Authors

Jacob Curtis, Brigham Young University
Sam Hardy, Brigham Young University

Keywords

self-determination theory, adolescent's motivations, sex, alcohol

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Adolescent sex and alcohol use are issues today in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012), about a third of high school students report having had sex in the previous three months, and 79% of twelfth graders have drunk alcohol at least once in their lifetime. There has been a cost for society. Teen childbearing cost U.S. taxpayers $10.9 billion in 2008 (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 2011), and underage drinking cost Americans over $62 billion in 2010 (Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, 2011).

Recommended Citation

Curtis, Jacob and Hardy, Sam (2015) "Development of a Self-Determination Theory Measure of Adolescent’s Motivations to Abstain from Sex and Alcohol," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2015: Iss. 1, Article 53.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2015/iss1/53