Effat –al- Sadat Merghati-khoei - Associate Professor, Iranian National Centre of Addiction Studies, Institution of Risk Behaviors Reduction, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fariba Taleghani - Professor, Department of Adult Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Mahnaz Noroozi - Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Mahgol Tavakoli - Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
Ali Gholami - Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Sciences, Faculty of Medical, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Introduction: Youths are considered as a susceptible group in terms of engagement in pre-marital sexual relationships. Therefore, this study was conducted to explain factors protecting youths in engagement in pre-marital sexual relationships. Method: This qualitative study was performed on ۳۰ youths as well as ۱۷ other participants (other than the youths) living in Isfahan in ۲۰۱۳. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using qualitative conventional content analysis. Results: After data analysis, two themes including "having a strong and secure personality" and "obeying the religious beliefs and principles" were obtained. Conclusion: According to the results, having a healthy personality and obeying religious beliefs play an outstanding role in protecting youths in engagement in pre-marital sexual relationships? The results of this study can pave the way toward interventions for internalizing religious values as well as developing healthy personality in youth, which help their sexual health promotion.

Protective factors, Sexual behaviour, Youths, Qualitative study, Iran