摘要：The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between self-esteem and sexual risk taking behavior (non-condom use, early sexual experience, early pregnancy, diverse sexual partners, AIDS and other STDs) on adolescents living in Aracaju. The sample was composed of 159 adolescents, including boys and girls, high school students from two large public schools. Participants were 57.9% female, aged between 14–23 (M= 17.19; SD=1.47). The instrument was adapted from “Juventude Brasileira” study, and it was composed of multiple choices, Likert itens and Rosenberg´s self-esteem scale. Results showed that 55.8% have already had sexual experience and 83.3% use condom regularly. Bivariate analyses suggests that the higher their self-esteem, the lower is the chance of early sexual experience and less sexual behavior using drugs (χ²=7.137; p=0.028). Data suggests sexual behavior changes and a positive self-esteem effect upon early debut. Key word: adolescent, sexual risk behavior, self-esteem.
