Abstract
To examine the association between “competence” and adolescent sexual and reproductive
health (ASRH) outcomes. Competence refers to the development of skills to perform
tasks successfully in four areas including social and behavioral, cognitive, emotional,
and moral competence. We conducted a systematic review of research published from
1985 through 2007. Inclusion criteria included use of multivariate analyses, a sample
size of ≥100, publication in a peer-reviewed journal, and measurement of an ASRH outcome.
We coded findings as protective, risk, or no association and as longitudinal or cross-sectional.
We considered the presence of two longitudinal studies with consistent findings for
at least one outcome to be sufficient evidence for a risk or protective association.
We identified 77 studies that examined cognitive competence, 27 studies that examined social and behavioral competence, 12 studies that examined emotional competence, and no studies that met inclusion criteria for moral competence. The evidence indicated that cognitive competence and social and behavioral competence can be protective factors for ASRH, with findings from at least two longitudinal
studies demonstrating a protective association with an ASRH outcome. Findings across
cognitive, social and behavioral subconstructs and ASRH outcomes were more mixed. There was insufficient evidence
to draw conclusions about emotional and moral competence and ASRH. Helping adolescents to achieve cognitive, social, and behavioral competence
may reduce the likelihood of sexual activity and teen pregnancy, and increase contraceptive
use. Additional research is needed to examine other outcomes and the generalizability
of findings.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 8,
2009
Received:
August 16,
2009
Footnotes
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.
