ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 1 The Relationship between Academic Self-Concept and Achievement in High School and Risky Sexual Behavior in College-Aged Females Over Time Senior Honors Thesis

Using data from the Michigan Study of Adolescent Life Transitions (N=744), this study examines the connection between academic self-concept, academic achievement and risky sexual behavior in college-aged females over time. The current study investigated three hypotheses: 1) academic achievement at Time 1 will be negatively related to risky sexual behavior Time 2, 2) academic self-concept at Time 1 will be negatively related to risky sexual behavior at Time 2, and 3) academic self-concept will moderate the relationship between academic achievement and risky sexual behavior. The association between academic self-concept, achievement, and risky sexual behavior was tested using a hierarchical regression, controlling for student socioeconomic status and grade level. Risky sexual behavior was measured with three scales: frequency of having unprotected sex, risky sexual behaviors and attitudes and using protection during sexual intercourse. Academic self-concept was assessed via academic ability self-concept and academic dissatisfaction. Results indicated that academic achievement and self-concept were linked to certain risky sexual outcomes. Moreover, a significant interaction between academic dissatisfaction, academic performance, and sexual behaviors and attitudes was found. Implications for the importance of studying these aspects in late adolescent females are discussed.