Aim: This thesis aims to explore the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood, related to adolescents’ sexual behavior, conceptions concerning sex, sexual relationships and sex education, their need for knowledge and support related to sexuality. A further aim was to explore professionals’ views on promotion of sexual health, and interprofessional collaboration in relation to adolescents’ sexual health. Methods: Both quantitative methods (I) and qualitative methods (II, III, IV) were used. In study I, 139 adolescents responded to a cross-sectional survey. The qualitative data was obtained through focus group interviews with 32 adolescents (II) and individual, pair and group interviews (III) with 26 adolescents. Further, 24 professionals participated in focus group interviews (IV). Findings: Adolescents’ reported a low level of sexual risk behavior and high self-esteem, yet put themselves at risk by inconsistent condom use (I). Learning about sex and relationships included values, knowledge and practical skills in relation to maturity, enabling internalization of different aspects of sexuality, creating meaning and fostering autonomy and identity (II). Developing sexuality involved changing needs for knowledge, discussing, interacting with others, and gaining experience (III). Professionals reached out to adolescents through competence and trusting relationships. It was important to keep up to date with changes regarding sexuality, to reach vulnerable groups, and include questions about sexuality in all health care contexts involving adolescents (IV). Conclusions: Adolescents’ needs for knowledge and support were constantly changing with development through learning, experience and interaction with peers, parents, and health professionals. Different efforts are necessary in sexual health promotion depending on age, maturity or gender in order to provide high quality nursing interventions in relation to adolescents’ sexual health.

Syfte: Avhandlingen syftade till att undersöka övergången från adolescens till ung vuxenhet relaterad till tonåringar sexuella beteenden, uppfattningar om sex, sexuella relationer och sex- och samlevnadsundervisning, samt deras behov av kunskap och stöd relaterad till sexualitet. Ytterligare ett syfte var att undersöka hälsopersonals syn på sexuell hälsopromotion och interprofessionell samverkan i relation till tonåringars sexuella hälsa. Metoder: Kvantitativa (I) och kvalitativa (II, III, IV) metoder användes. I studie I svarade 139 tonåringar på en enkät. De kvalitativa data inhämtades genom fokusgruppintervjuer med 32 tonåringar (II), och individuella-, par- och gruppintervjuer (III) med 26 tonåringar. Vidare deltog 24 hälsopersonal i fokusgruppintervjuer (IV). Resultat: Tonåringar rapporterade låga nivåer av sexuella riskbeteenden och hög självkänsla, men utsätter sig för risker på grund av inkonsekvent kondomanvändning. Lärande om sexualitet och relationer inkluderade värderingar, kunskap och praktiska färdigheter i relation till mognad, vilket möjliggjorde för internalisering av olika aspekter av sexualitet, skapade mening och främjade autonomi och identitet (II). Sexuell utveckling innebar ändrande behov av kunskap, diskussion, interaktion med andra samt att få erfarenheter (III). Personal nådde ut till tonåringar genom kompetens och tillförlitliga relationer. Det var viktigt att hålla sig uppdaterad med förändringar beträffande sexualitet, att nå sårbara grupper och att inkludera frågor om sexualitet i alla delar av hälso- och sjukvården som inkluderar tonåringar (IV). Konklusion: Tonåringars behov av kunskap och stöd är dynamiskt och förändrades genom lärande, erfarenhet, och interagerande med andra.  För att främja sexuell hälsa är olika insatser nödvändiga vilket måste anpassas till tonåringars ålder och mognad för att därmed leda till omvårdnadsinterventioner av hög kvalitet.

Adolescents today are living in an increasingly complex world and are actively involved in developing their sexuality and personal identity. Sexuality is something which is positive for adolescents and subsequently their experience of health. This thesis aims to explore the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood, related to adolescents’ sexual behavior, conceptions concerning sex, sexual relationships and sex education, their need for knowledge and support related to sexuality.

Adolescents’ reported low sexual risk behavior, high self-esteem, yet inconsistent condom use. Adolescents’ needs for knowledge and support related to sexuality and relationships were constantly changing with increasing development which came through learning, experience and interaction with peers, parents, health professionals.  Different efforts are needed in sexual health promotion depending on age, maturity or gender. Nurses need to be aware of individuals’ changing needs for support along with the importance of timing interventions. This thesis shows important factors which should be used to assess adolescents’ needs, contributing to high quality nursing interventions in relation to adolescents’ sexual health.