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Adolescent Social Networks and Sexual Practices Wassie Kebede

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Adolescent Social Networks and Sexual Practices Wassie Kebede Social Networks and Sexual Practices ____________________________________________________________________________ Adolescent Social Networks and Sexual Practices Wassie Kebede B.A., Addis Ababa University M.A., Addis Ababa University A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In Social Work & Social Development © Wassie Kebede, 2009 Addis Ababa University All Rights Reserved. This dissertation may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopying or other means, without the permission of the author Social Networks and Sexual Practices ii ___________________________________________________________________________ Social Networks and Sexual Practices iii ______________________________________________________________________________ Abstract This study examines adolescent social networks and sexual practices (and how they differ among males and females of different ages) among ninth-grade students in two high schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Social exchange theory and group socialization theory guide the study. Other theories that the study utilizes are the theory of homophily, balance theory, the theory of self-interest, and the theory of early sexual practices. Up to now, there has been no systematic research in Ethiopia or the rest of Africa on the relationship between adolescent social networks and sexual practices. Mixed-methods research guides the study, which consists of two parts. Study A generated data from a 264-item survey of 167 respondents, to which parametric and nonparametric statistics (using a consistent alpha of .05) are applied. Study B used 10 critical cases to generate qualitative data. Critical cases are study participants selected based on their capacity to provide reliable data of interest. UCINET 6.0 was used to draw social network diagrams, and qualitative data were transcribed and subjected to content analysis. Friendship, immediate family, extended family neighborhood, and religious networks are key components of social network analysis. Friendship and family networks are two priority networks among adolescents. The family network is the most stable type and the friendship network is the most popular. The friendship network plays two important functions: information sharing and problem solving. Adolescents’ like having school friends who are of the same gender, and out-of-school friends of the opposite gender. Adolescent friendship networks are the primary means for finding sexual partners. Peer influence and personal curiosity are the primary factors related to adolescent sexual debuts. Male adolescents equate sexual practices with self-actualization and adventure, while female adolescents equate sexual practices with love and emotional attachment. Social Networks and Sexual Practices iv ___________________________________________________________________________ The adolescents’ own homes and their friends’ houses are the most popular settings for first engaging in sexual activity. Female survey respondents reported having more than one boyfriend, whereas male adolescents had a single girlfriend. The hypothesized associations between adolescent-parent communication and age of sexual debut were not found to be significant. The hypothesized relationships between social network variables and sexual practices were significant, as were correlations between ages at which the respondents first watched live sex and when they first masturbated. These findings concerning adolescents’ relationships and reproductive health risk factors give us a better understanding of the role of social networks in adolescent health and sexual activity. Understanding adolescents’ social networks is particularly important in light of the looming problem of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia and Africa. These findings are also important for social work and social development interventions. Social Networks and Sexual Practices v ______________________________________________________________________________ CONTENTS Tables xii Figures xiii Box xiii Diagram xiii Acknowledgements xvi 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background and Rationale 1 1.2 Purpose and Significance 4 1.3 Conceptual Framework 5 1.4 Definitions of Concepts 11 1.4.1 Concepts Related to Social Networks 11 1.4.2 Concepts Related to Adolescent Sexual Activity 12 1.5 Operational Definitions of Concepts and Terms 13 1.6 Research Questions 15 1.7 Research Hypotheses 16 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 17 2.1 Why Is Theory Important? 17 2.2 Theories of Social Network Analysis 18 2.2.1 Social Exchange Theory 20 2.2.2 Balance Theory 22 2.2.3 Theory of Self-Interest 25 2.2.4 Theory of Homophily 25 Social Networks and Sexual Practices vi ___________________________________________________________________________ 2.3 Theories of Human Behavior 28 2.3.1 Social Learning Theory 28 2.3.2 Social Cognitive Theory 28 2.3.3 Group Socialization Theory 29 2.3.4 Ecological Theory 31 2.3.5 Theory of Early Sexual Practices 31 2.4 Relevance of the Selected Theories 32 2.5 Research on Adolescent Social Networks and Sexual Practices 35 2.5.1 Studies on Adolescent Social Networks 35 2.5.2 Adolescent Social Networks in Ethiopia 37 2.5.3 Studies on Adolescent Sexual Behavior and Activity 38 2.6 Integrated Studies on Social Networks and Sexual Practices 41 2.7 Summary 43 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 46 3.1 Exploratory Study 46 3.2 Methodological Stance 47 3.3 The Role of the Principal Investigator 51 3.4 Research Design: Mixed-Methods Research 52 3.5 Data Sources Used to Develop Research Tools for Studies A and B 56 3.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Dissertation Project 57 3.7 Study A: The Survey 58 3.7.1 Population and Sample 58 3.7.2 Sample Determination 60 Social Networks and Sexual Practices vii ______________________________________________________________________________ 3.7.3 Survey Administration 60 3.7.4 Data Collection 62 3.7.5 Measurement 63 3.7.5.1 Measurement Items 63 3.7.5.2 Statistics 65 3.7.5.3 Statistical Tests 66 3.7.6 Validity and Reliability of Instruments 68 3.7.6.1 Validity 68 3.7.6.2 Reliability 68 3.7.7 Analysis for Study A 69 3.8 Study B: The Critical Case Study 70 3.8.1 Rationale for the Use of the Critical Case Study 70 3.8.2 Case Selection Criteria 71 3.8.3 Interviews 72 3.8.4 Data Collection 72 3.8.5 Data Validity and Reliability 73 3.8.6 Data Analysis 73 3.9 Protection of Human Subjects 75 3.10 Methodological Limitations 76 3.11 Summary 76 4 FINDINGS 79 4.1 Descriptive Findings (Study A) 79 4.1.1 Independent and Control Variables 79 Social Networks and Sexual Practices viii ___________________________________________________________________________ 4.1.1.1 Sample Demographic and Social Profile 80 4.1.1.2. Relational Variables 84 4.1.1.2.1 Friendship Variables 85 4.1.1.2.2 Sample Social Network Variables 91 4.1.1.3 Variables Concerning Knowledge and Perceptions of Sex 115 4.1.2 Dependent Variables 117 4.1.2.1 Sexual Practices 117 4.1.2.2 Having a Boy- or Girlfriend 127 4.1.2.3 Age at the Time of Sexual Debut 129 4.2 Hypothesis Testing 132 4.2.1 Hypothesis 1 133 a. Research Hypothesis 133 b. Null Hypothesis 133 4.2.2 Hypothesis 2 136 a. Research Hypothesis 136 b. Null Hypothesis 136 2.2.3 Hypothesis 3 141 a. Research Hypothesis 141 b. Null Hypothesis 141 2.2.4 Regression Tests 142 a. Research Hypothesis 142 b. Null Hypothesis 142 4.3 Case Analysis (Study B) 147 Social Networks and Sexual Practices ix ______________________________________________________________________________ 4.3.1 Profiles of the Critical Cases 148 4.3.2 Adolescents’ Friendship Networks: Definition and Functions 149 4.3.2.1 Social Network Choices 149 4.3.2.2 Comparison of Friendship and Other Social Networks 151 4.3.2.3 Geography and Friendship Formation 153 4.3.2.4 Functions of Friendships 153 4.3.3 Engagement in Friendship Networks 155 4.3.3.1 Formation of Friendship Networks 156 4.3.3.2 Size and Density of Friendship Networks 156 4.3.3.3 Criteria for Choosing Best Friends 159 4.3.3.4 Degree of Influence in a Network of Best Friends 161 4.3.3.5 Roles and Activities of a Network of Best Friends 163 4.3.3.6 Connections in Friendship Networks 170 4.3.3.7 Centrality and Power 177 4.3.4 Engagement in Sexual Activity 181 4.3.4.1 Perceptions of, Attitudes about, and Meanings Ascribed to 181 Sex 4.3.4.2 Externalization of Sexual Activity 185 4.3.4.3 Gendered Constructions of Sexuality 188 4.3.4.4 Sexual Intercourse 191 4.3.4.5 Determinants of Sexual Debuts 204 4.3.4.6 Integration of Social and Sexual Relationships 196 4.4 Summary 200 Social Networks and Sexual Practices x ___________________________________________________________________________ 5 DISCUSSION 204 5.1 Knowledge and Perceptions of Social Networks 204 5.2 Knowledge and Perceptions of Sexual Engagements 208 5.3 Adolescents’ Social Network Engagements 210 5.4 Friendship: A Special Form of Social Network 218 5.5 Social Network Factors Affecting Sexual Practices 221 5.6 Gender, Social Networks, and Prediction of Sexual Activity 224 5.7 Sexual Activity 228 5.8 Communication and Sex 233 5.9 Summary 236 6 IMPLICATIONS 239 6.1 Implications for Social Work Education 239 6.2 Implications for Social Work Research 244 6.3 Implications for Social Work Practice 246 a. Parents 249 b. Schools 249 c. Health Agencies 249 REFERENCES 252 Appendix A: Tables 269 Appendix B: Data Collection instruments 273 Appendix C: Informed consent and assent forms 289 Social Networks and Sexual Practices xi ______________________________________________________________________________ TABLES 2.1 Balance-Imbalance State of Three People’s Interaction
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