Sexual Consent Cognitions and Consent-Seeking Behaviors Among U.S. Adolescents

Sexual consent is an ongoing agreement to engage in sexual behavior, requiring individuals to provide consent when sexual behavior is desired and seek consent from partners. While many initiate sexual activity during adolescence, adolescents remain mostly absent from the sexual consent literature. No work has explored consent cognitions and behaviors across adolescents of diverse gender and sexual identities. The current study explores differences in consent-seeking behaviors and consent cognitions across diverse youth and investigates links between consent cognitions and behaviors. We recruited U.S. adolescents (n = 833, age 14–16, M age = 15; 43% White, 17% Black, 17% Asian, 13% Latine) using social media. Participants represent diverse gender and sexual identities (52% cisgender girl, 27% cisgender boy, 21% gender minority; 45% heterosexual, 28% bisexual, 11% gay/lesbian, 16% another sexual minority identity). On average, participants reported high consent self-efficacy, positive consent attitudes, and frequent ongoing consent behaviors. Cisgender boys and heterosexual youth were less likely to report consistent consent-seeking behaviors and reported less positive attitudes towards consent compared to their peers. Positive attitudes towards consent and consent-seeking self-efficacy were both associated with a greater likelihood of consistent consent-seeking behavior. Results highlight the importance of promoting healthy consent practices among adolescents.