Factors Related to Gender Violence and Sex Education in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Cristina Guerra-Marmolejo, Eloísa Fernández-Fernández, María González-Cano-Caballero, Marina García-Gámez, Francisco J. del Río and Eloisa Fernández-Ordóñez
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Cristina Guerra-Marmolejo: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Eloísa Fernández-Fernández: Agencia Sanitaria Costa del Sol, Costa del Sol Hospital, 29603 Marbella, Spain
María González-Cano-Caballero: Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
Marina García-Gámez: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Francisco J. del Río: Department of Psychology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation of Cádiz (INIBICA), University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain
Eloisa Fernández-Ordóñez: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-10

Abstract: Background: For school medical services and the staff responsible for sex education for adolescents, it is important to understand the factors that may influence gender violence. The aim of this study is to determine whether the presence of sexist attitudes, double standards and/or romantic myths contributes to the risk of gender violence. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at five secondary schools in the province of Malaga (Spain). In total, 879 adolescents aged 12–18 years were included, studying years 1–4 of compulsory secondary education. Their attitudes were measured on the following scales: Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), Double Standard Scale (DSS) and Romantic Love Myths Scale (EMA). Results: Significant differences were observed among the age/year groups for the mean scores obtained on each of the above scales (DSS, p < 0.01; EMA, p < 0.01; ASI, p < 0.01). By gender, the boys recorded higher scores for ASI and lower ones for DSS ( p < 0.01). The Spearman’s rho value revealed significant relationships between the presence of sexual double standards and that of romantic myths and ambivalent attitudes ( p < 0.01). Conclusions: Adolescents commonly express romantic love myths, sexist attitudes and sexual double standards. These three factors, which are significantly correlated, influence the presence of violence in dating relationships.

Keywords: sexual health; nursing; school medical service; ambivalent sexism; sexual double standards; romantic love myths; adolescent; gender violence; risk factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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