Factors Protecting Youths in Engagement in Pre-marital Sexual Relationships: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Youths are considered as a susceptible group in terms of engagement in pre-marital sexual relationships. Therefore, this study was conducted to explain factors protecting youths in engagement in pre-marital sexual relationships. Method: This qualitative study was performed on 30 youths as well as 17 other participants (other than the youths) living in Isfahan in 2013. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using qualitative conventional content analysis. Results: After data analysis, two themes including "having a strong and secure personality" and "obeying the religious beliefs and principles" were obtained. Conclusion: According to the results, having a healthy personality and obeying religious beliefs play an outstanding role in protecting youths in engagement in pre-marital sexual relationships? The results of this study can pave the way toward interventions for internalizing religious values as well as developing healthy personality in youth, which help their sexual health promotion.