Sexual Behaviours of Adolescents

Adolescent sexuality represents the confluence of feelings (biologically determined), sexual attitudes (derived from cognitive changes) and behaviours (resulting from the interaction of the above) which can be modified by social pressures. The proximity of adolescents to their peer group means that it has a strong influence on them. This influence may be beneficial to the adolescent's development or, on the contrary, the adolescent may receive distorted information from the peer group that leads him/her to adopt risky behaviours, including some related to sexuality. Sexuality education is a possible intervention for nurses with adolescents to promote healthy sexual behaviour.