The interaction of age with Impulsiveness and Venturesomeness in the prediction of adolescent sexual behaviour

The study examined differences between two groups of adolescent females attending one of three clinics either for assessment for termination of a pregnancy or for contraceptive advice. Differences in Venturesomeness and Impulsiveness (Eysenck, Pearson, Easting & Allsopp. Personality and Individual Differences, 6, 613–619, 1985) and in Locus of Control for Positive and Negative Outcomes (Brewin & Shapiro, British Journal of Psychology, 75, 43–49, 1984) were investigated as a function of reason for attending (termination or contraception) and age group (17 years or less, greater than 17 years). Significant differences in both Venturesomeness and Impulsiveness were found as a function of the interaction between the two experimental factors. Younger subjects attending for termination were more impulsive than the other groups. In contradiction of previous studies, older subjects attending for contraceptive advice were found to be significantly more venturesome than the other three groups. There was a trend for the older termination group to score lower (more external) on locus of control for negative outcomes.