Sense of control impacts young people’s ability to propose safer sex

Young people who feel in control over their lives are more likely to suggest safe sex, such as sex with a condom, a study by Anna ChuChu Schindele finds. The sense of control can be understood as a resource to influence one’s own sexual and reproductive health, she argues.

The study examined the topic through parameters such as gender identity, sexual identity, economic status, and whether the person was born abroad.

“I am investigating whether young people have equal opportunities for sexual and reproductive health – and if there is inequality, what can we do about it?”

The results show how important it is for schools, student health services and youth clinics to have good knowledge of LGBTQI issues, gender equality and the impact of socio-economic factors on health.

Anna ChuChu Schindele

The young people who felt the most in control of their lives and thus had the resources to influence their sexual and reproductive health were among male respondents who were heterosexual, cisgender, financially well-off, born in Sweden and not receiving social assistance. In contrast, lower resources were found among non-binary people, people with transgender experiences and sexual minorities.

“The study therefore shows that several factors influence young people's circumstances. The results show how important it is for schools, student health services and youth clinics to have good knowledge of LGBTQI issues, gender equality and the impact of socio-economic factors on health,” Anna ChuChu Schindele says.

The study is part of her dissertation work on the health impact of different social determinants and power structures, in which the main data source was a large survey, ‘Sexuality and Health among Young People in Sweden’ (UngKAB15) – a study from 2015 with responses from over 7000 young people between 16 and 29 years.

ChuChu Schindele, who is used to working with youth and now works part-time at the Swedish Public Health Agency, believes that the results of her study can be used to improve communication between adults and young people when talking about sex and sexuality.

“Better understanding of the factors that may influence young people's ability to suggest safe sex can lead to strengthened and targeted health promotion and prevention work in, for example, school health services and youth clinics,” she says.

Text: Anna Dahlbeck & Anna Jaakonaho