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Adolescent Sexual Behavior

	Sexual Intercourse
	Contraceptive Use
	Alcohol and Drug Use
	Oral Sex
	Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Adolescents
	Factors That Affect Sexual Behavior

Information about young people’s sexual behavior—from the attitudes they have to the decisions they make and actions they take—can help parents communicate with children, policymakers support sound public health policy, and educators craft sexual health programs. Unfortunately, there is a limited amount of scientific data on adolescent sexual behavior. Further, much of the available research on this subject is controversial, as some adults seem to feel that asking adolescents about sex is tantamount to giving them ideas and encouragement. Finally, much of the available research is focused solely on sexual intercourse or is limited to heterosexual behaviors.

This page seeks to provide a comprehensive list of accurate sources for information on a range of topics related to adolescent sexual behavior. The data in this guide is broken down into several sections: sexual intercourse, contraceptive use, alcohol and drug use, oral sex, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents, and other factors that affect sexual behavior .

Many of the studies on this page apply to more than one of these topic categories. Those studies have been listed under multiple topic headings so that all relevant data can be easily found.

Many studies have been conducted on the age at which teens engage in sexual intercourse and the number of partners that teen have.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey

Description: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regularly publishes the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS) that measures sexual behaviors, alcohol and other drug use, tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, physical inactivity, and behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence. The YRBS is conducted every two years with students in grades nine through 12 at high schools across the country. It provides the most current information about adolescent sexual behavior, including history of sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, and contraceptive use.

Key Statistics:

In 2005, 47% of high school students (46% of female high school students and 48% of male high school students) reported ever having had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, 34% of ninth grade students, 43% of tenth grade students, 51% of eleventh grade students, and 63% of twelfth grade students reported ever having had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, 43% of White high school students, 68% of Black high school students, and 51% of Hispanic high school students reported ever having had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, 6% of high school students (4% of female high school students and 9% of male high school students) reported having had sexual intercourse before age 13.
In 2005, 14% of high school students (12% of female high school students and 17% of male high school students) reported having had four or more lifetime sexual partners.
In 2005, 34% of high school students (35% of female high school students and 33% of male high school students) reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey).
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 23% (19% of females and 28% of males) reported having used alcohol or drugs the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 63% (56% of females and 70% of males) reported having used condoms the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 18% (21% of females and 15% of males) reported having used birth control pills the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, 12% of high school students (13% of female high school students and 11% of male high school students) reported having been tested for HIV.
In 2005, 88% of high school students reported having been taught about AIDS/HIV in school.

To View this Resource: See Healthy Youth online which allows visitors to view data from 1991–2005 by topic, to compare data across years, and to see data specific to states and communities at:

apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/CategoryQuestions.asp?cat=4&desc=Sexual%20Behaviors

or See the relevant tables directly from the YRBS at

www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5505a1.htm#tab44

National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences

Source:Lisa Lierberman, “Early Predictors of Sexual Behavior: Implications for Young Adolescents and Their Parents,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 38.2 (June 2006).

Description:This report contains the findings of a study to examine sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade characteristics as predictors of sexual activity in ninth grade.

Key Statistics:

In 2005, 47% of high school students (46% of female high school students and 48% of male high school students) reported ever having had sexual intercourse.
37% of adolescents ages 15Ð17 (42% of males and 33% of females) reported having had sexual intercourse.
Among adolescents ages 15Ð17 who had engaged in sexual intercourse, 11% reported having first had intercourse at 12 or 13, 44% at 14 or 15, and 37% at 16 or 17.
Among adolescents ages 15Ð17 who had engaged in sexual intercourse, 42% reported 1 lifetime partner, 39% reported 2Ð5 lifetime partners, 7% reported 6Ð9 lifetime partners, and 4% reported 10 or more lifetime partners.

To View this Resource:www.kff.org/youthhivstds/3218-index.cfm

Early Predictors of Sexual Behavior: Implications for Young Adolescents and their Parents

Source: T. Hoff, et al, National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences, (Menlo Park, CA: Henry Kaiser Family Foundation, 2003), 14.

Description: This survey contains information on adolescent sexual health knowledge, attitudes toward sex, and statistics on sexual experience.

Key Statistics:

In 2005, 47% of high school students (46% of female high school students and 48% of male high school students) reported ever having had sexual intercourse.
Seventh graders in serious relationships with older teenagersÑuniquely defined as those two or more years olderÑhave an increased likelihood of having sexual intercourse in the ninth grade.
Seventh graders of both genders who have had serious romantic relationships had peers who were more accepting of sexual activity, had experienced more unwanted sexual advances and situations that could lead to sex (i.e., where parental monitoring is limited) and, for females, had undergone earlier menarche.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3811206.html

Many studies have been conducted on contraceptive use among adolescents. This section includes information on the influence of partner type, age, parental approval, and alcohol and drug use on the use of contraception during sexual intercourse.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey

Key Statistics:

In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey), 63% (56% of females and 70% of males) reported having used condoms the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey), 75% of 9th graders, 65% of 10th grade students, 62 % if eleventh grade students, and 55% of twelfth grade students reported having used condoms the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey), 69% of Black students, 58% of Hispanic students, and 63% of White students reported having used condoms the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 18% (21% of females and 15% of males) reported having used birth control pills the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey), 8% of 9th graders, 14% of 10th grade students, 19% of eleventh grade students, and 26% of twelfth grade students reported having used birth control pills the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 23% (19% of females and 28% of males) reported having used alcohol or drugs the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey), 10% of Black students, 10% of Hispanic students, and 22% of White students reported having used birth control pills the last time they had sexual intercourse.

To View this Resource: See Healthy Youth online which allows visitors to view data from 1991–2005 by topic, to compare data across years, and to see data specific to states and communities at:

apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/CategoryQuestions.asp?cat=4&desc=Sexual%20Behaviors

or See the relevant tables directly from the YRBS at

www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5505a1.htm#tab46

Maternal Correlates of Adolescent Sexual and Contraceptive Behavior

Source: James Jaccard, et al, “Maternal Correlates of Adolescent Sexual and Contraceptive Behavior,” Family Planning Perspectives, 28.4 (July/August 1996).

Description:This report contains the findings of a study to determine the impact of maternal discussions about birth control and sexual activity on the sexual behavior of adolescents.

Key Statistics:

In a survey of 751 black youths, adolescent perceptions of maternal disapproval of premarital sex and satisfaction with the mother-child relationship were significantly related to abstinence from adolescent sexual activity as well as to less-frequent sexual intercourse and more consistent use of contraceptives among sexually active youths.
Teenagers who reported a low level of satisfaction with their mother were more than twice as likely as those highly satisfied with their relationship to be having sexual intercourse.
Discussions about birth control were associated with an increased likelihood that adolescents were sexually active. Such discussions were not significantly related to consistent contraceptive use for female adolescents, but were associated with increased contraceptive use for male teenagers.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/2815996.html

Adolescent Drinking and Sex: Findings from a Daily Diary Study

Source: Diane Morrison, et al, “Adolescent Drinking and Sex: Findings from a Daily Diary Study,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 35.4 (July/August 2003)

Description: This report contains the findings of a study to determine the relationship between condom use and alcohol use during intercourse.

Key Statistics:

Rates of condom use did not differ significantly between sexual events preceded by drinking and those not preceded by drinking.
In the multivariate analyses, the odds of condom use were not associated either with whether a teenager had been drinking before sex or with the quantity of alcohol consumed.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3516203.html

Among Sexually Experienced Male Adolescents, Those with Partners of Both Sexes Exhibit Riskiest Behavior

Source: T. Lane, “Among Sexually Experienced Male Adolescents, Those with Partners of Both Sexes Exhibit Riskiest Behavior,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 34.3 (May/June 2002).

Description: This article reports the findings of a study to determine whether sexual orientation affects adolescent sexual behavior and the related risk factors. The study compared sexual behavior of adolescent males with only heterosexual sexual contact to adolescent males with partners of both sexes.

Key Statistics:

Among young men progressing to sexual intercourse, those with partners of both sexes have reduced odds of using a condom and elevated odds of having had multiple lifetime partners.
In contrast, men who have exclusively homosexual relationships are no more likely than heterosexually active men to report these AIDS-related risk factors.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3416602.html

Many studies have been conducted on the relationship between alcohol and drug use and adolescent sexual behavior. This section includes information on the percentage of teens that use alcohol and drugs during intercourse, the relationship between alcohol and drug use and condom use, and the relationship between drug use and high-risk sexual behavior.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey

Key Statistics:

In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey), 23% (19% of females and 28% of males) reported having used alcohol or drugs the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey), 26% of 9th graders, 21% of 10th grade students, 23 % if eleventh grade students, and 23% of twelfth grade students reported having used drugs or alcohol the last time they had sexual intercourse.
In 2005, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey), 14% of Black students, 26% of Hispanic students, and 25% of White students reported having used drugs or alcohol the last time they had sexual intercourse.

To View this Resource: See Healthy Youth online which allows visitors to view data from 1991Ð2005 by topic, to compare data across years, and to see data specific to states and communities at:

apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/CategoryQuestions.asp?cat=4&desc=Sexual%20Behaviors

or see the relevant tables directly from the YRBS at:

www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5505a1.htm#tab48

Sexual Intentions of Black Preadolescents: Associations with Risk and Adaptive Behaviors

Source: Rex Forehand, et al, ÒSexual Intentions of Black Preadolescents: Associations with Risk and Adaptive Behaviors,Ó Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 37.1 (March 2005).

Description:This report contains the findings of a study to determine what risk factors impact adolescent sexual behavior and sexual intentions.

Key Statistics:

In a survey of 751 black youths, adolescent perceptions of maternal disapproval of premarital sex and satisfaction with the mother-child relationship were significantly related to abstinence from adolescent sexual activity as well as to less-frequent sexual intercourse and more consistent use of contraceptives among sexually active youths.
Discussions about birth control were associated with an increased likelihood that adolescents were sexually active. Such discussions were not significantly related to consistent contraceptive use for female adolescents, but were associated with increased contraceptive use for male teenagers.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/2815996.html

Adolescent Drinking and Sex: Findings from a Daily Diary Study

Source: Diane Morrison, et al, “Adolescent Drinking and Sex: Findings from a Daily Diary Study,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 35.4 (July/August 2003)

Description: This report contains the findings of a study to determine the relationship between condom use and alcohol use during intercourse.

Key Statistics:

Rates of condom use did not differ significantly between sexual events preceded by drinking and those not preceded by drinking.
In the multivariate analyses, the odds of condom use were not associated either with whether a teenager had been drinking before sex or with the quantity of alcohol consumed.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3516203.html

Among Sexually Experienced Male Adolescents, Those with Partners of Both Sexes Exhibit Riskiest Behavior

Key Statistics:

Compared with young men who have only heterosexual contact, those who engage in bisexual behavior have three times the odds of having injected drugs.
Bisexually active young men deserve specific attention in prevention programs.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3416602.html

Many studies have been conducted on adolescent oral sex. This section contains information on the prevalence of adolescent oral sex, teen’s attitudes toward oral sex, and teen’s knowledge of the risks associated with oral sex.

Many Young Teenagers Consider Oral Sex More Acceptable and Less Risky than Vaginal Intercourse

Source: T. Hoff, et al, National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences, (Menlo Park, CA: Henry Kaiser Family Foundation, 2003), 14.

Description: This report contains the findings of a study to determine adolescent’s attitudes about oral sex as compared to vaginal intercourse. The study was conducted with ninth grade students in California public schools.

Key Statistics:

The teenagers believed that if they engaged in oral sex instead of vaginal intercourse they would have less chance of becoming pregnant, contracting Chlamydia or HIV, jeopardizing their relationship or their reputation, getting into trouble, and feeling guilty about their behavior.
Approximately 20% of the teenagers said that they had had oral sex, a significantly higher proportion than reported experience with vaginal intercourse (14%).
A significantly greater proportion intended to have oral sex in the next six months than intended to have vaginal sex (32% vs. 26%).

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3715505.html

National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences

Source: T. Hoff, et al, National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences, (Menlo Park, CA: Henry Kaiser Family Foundation, 2003), 14.

Description: This survey contains information on adolescent sexual health knowledge, attitudes toward sex, and statistics on sexual experience.

Key Statistics:

36% of adolescents ages 15–17 (40% of males and 32% of females) reported having had oral sex.
66% of young adults ages 18–24 (73% of males and 58% of females) reported having had oral sex.
61% of white adolescents and young adults (ages 15–24), 41% of African- American adolescents and young adults, 47% of Latino adolescents and young adults, and 40% of Asian adolescents and young adults reported having had oral sex.
82% of adolescents and young adults (ages 15–24) who had engaged in sexual intercourse reported having had oral sex as did 12% of adolescents and young adults who had not had sexual intercourse.
38% of female participants and 54% of male participants ages 15–17 “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” that oral sex is not as a big of a deal as sexual intercourse.

To View this Resource:www.kff.org/youthhivstds/3218-index.cfm

Several studies have been conducted on the sexual behavior of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents. This section includes information on LGBTQ adolescents’ sexual behavior, use of condoms, and likelihood to get tested for STDs including HIV.

Sexual Intercourse, Abuse, and Pregnancy Among Adolescent Women: Does Sexual Orientation Make a Difference?

Source: Elizabeth Saewyc, et al, “Sexual Intercourse, Abuse, and Pregnancy Among Adolescent Women: Does Sexual Orientation Make a Difference?” Family Planning Perspectives, 31.3 (May/June 1999).

Description:

This article reports the findings of a study to determine whether sexual orientation affects adolescent sexual behavior and the related risk factors. The study compared sexual behavior of heterosexual-identified adolescents to lesbian, bisexual and questioning-identified adolescents.

Key Statistics:

Bisexual or lesbian respondents were about as likely as heterosexual women ever to have had vaginal intercourse, but they had a significantly higher prevalence of pregnancy and physical or sexual abuse than heterosexual or unsure adolescents.
Bisexual or lesbian respondents were the most likely to have frequent intercourse.
Providers of reproductive health care and family planning services should not assume that pregnant teenagers are heterosexual or that adolescents who say they are bisexual, lesbian or unsure of their sexual orientation are not in need of family planning counseling.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3112799.html

Among Sexually Experienced Male Adolescents, Those with Partners of Both Sexes Exhibit Riskiest Behavior

Description: This article reports the findings of a study to determine whether sexual orientation affects adolescent sexual behavior and the related risk factors. The study compared sexual behavior of adolescent males with only heterosexual sexual contact to adolescent males with partners of both sexes.

Key Statistics:

Male adolescents who have sexual contact with both males and females are more likely to report AIDS-related risk factors and a history of sexually transmitted disease than are males who have sexual contact only with females.
Among young men progressing to sexual intercourse, those with partners of both sexes have reduced odds of using a condom and elevated odds of having had multiple lifetime partners.
In contrast, men who have exclusively homosexual relationships are no more likely than heterosexually active men to report these AIDS-related risk factors.
Bisexually active young men deserve specific attention in prevention programs.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3416602.html

Prevalence of Unprotected Sex and HIV-Antibody Testing Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth

Source: Shira Maguen and Lisa Armistead, “Prevalence of Unprotected Sex and HIV-Antibody Testing Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth,” Journal of Sex Research, 37.2 (May 2000):169-174.

Description: This article contains the findings of a study to examine the relationship between sexual risk behavior and HIV testing. The study was conducted on a group of Southern lesbian, gay, and bisexual-identified adolescents.

Key Statistics:

In 2000, adolescents ages 13–21 accounted for 25% of newly reported HIV infections.
In 2000, two adolescents under the age of 21 become infected with HIV every hour.
Gay and bisexual male adolescents are particularly at risk: In New York City, 9% of gay and bisexual men ages 18–24 were HIV positive, in San Francisco 17.9% of gay and bisexual men ages 18–24 were HIV, and in Houston 10% of men who have sex with males were HIV positive as of 2000.
In a sample that included gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents, less than 40% of the population had been tested for HIV.
Adolescents prefer to be tested for HIV in a clinic that conducts only HIV-testing as opposed to a regular doctor’s office or a hospital.
Over one third of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adolescents studied reported unprotected anal sex and almost one third reported unprotected vaginal sex.

This article may be obtained online for a fee. For more information:
* See the Journal of Sex Research online at: www.sexscience.org/publications/index.php?category_id=439 , or
* Contact your local librarian.

If you have difficulty finding this book, you may contact SIECUS at www.siecus.org/feedback.html.

Predictors of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Young African American Men Who Have Sex with Men

Source: Trevor Hart, et al, “Predictors of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Young African American Men Who Have Sex with Men,” American Journal of Public Health, 94.7 (July 2004):1122-1124.

Description: This article contains the findings of a study to examine the relationship between risky sexual behavior and HIV infection among adolescent African-American men who have sex with men.

Key Statistics:

26 % of adolescents studied engaged in unprotected anal intercourse.
Not carrying condoms and low peer norms were associated with increased likelihood of unprotected receptive anal intercourse.
Age, educational level, employment status, and sexual identity did not predict unprotected receptive anal intercourse.

This article may be obtained online for a fee. For more information:
* See the American Journal of Public Health online at: www.ajph.org, or
* Contact your local librarian.

If you have difficulty finding this book, you may contact SIECUS at
www.siecus.org/feedback.html.

Many studies have been conducted on what factors affect adolescent sexual behavior. In this section you will find information on parental impact on sexual activity and contraceptive use, adolescent motivations for sex, religiosity, and other outside factors such as academic success, trouble with the law, and age disparity between sexual partners.

National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences

Source: T. Hoff, et al, National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences, (Menlo Park, CA: Henry Kaiser Family Foundation, 2003), 14.

Description:

This survey contains information on adolescent sexual health knowledge, attitudes toward sex, and statistics on sexual experience.

Key Statistics:

72% of female participants and 69% of male participants were “very” or “somewhat” concerned about HIV/AIDS.
73% of female participants and 72% of male participants were “very” or “somewhat” concerned about other STDs.
75% of female participants and 64% of male participants were “very” or “somewhat” concerned about unintended pregnancy.
60% of female participants and 66% of male participants ages 15–17 “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” that waiting to have sex is a nice idea but nobody really does.
58% of female participants and 59% of male participants ages 15–17 "strongly agree" or "somewhat agree" there is pressure to have sex by a certain age.
47% of female participants and 56% of male participants ages 15–17 “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” once you have had sex it is harder to say no the next time.
27% of female participants and 50% of male participants ages 15–17 “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” if you have been seeing someone for a while it is expected that you will have sex.
38% of female participants and 54% of male participants ages 15–17 “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” that oral sex is not as a big of a deal as sexual intercourse.

To View this Resource:www.kff.org/youthhivstds/3218-index.cfm

Greater Expectations: Adolescents’ Positive Motivations for Sex

Source: Mary Ott, et al, “Greater Expectations: Adolescents’ Positive Motivations for Sex,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 38.2 (June 2006).

Description: This article reports the findings of a study to determine why adolescents engage in sexual intercourse. The study was conducted on a sample of ninth-grade students.

Key Statistics:

When asked about their relationship goals and reasons for having sex, participants cited intimacy as their primary goal most frequently followed by social status and sexual pleasure.
Females tended to cite intimacy as a goal more often than males, and sexual pleasure as a goal less often than males.
Adolescents expected that sex would most likely lead to sexual pleasure, then intimacy and, finally, social status.

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3808406.html

Maternal Correlates of Adolescent Sexual and Contraceptive Behavior

Source: James Jaccard, et al, “Maternal Correlates of Adolescent Sexual and Contraceptive Behavior,” Family Planning Perspectives, 28.4 (July/August 1996).

Description: This report contains the findings of a study to determine the impact of maternal discussions about birth control and sexual activity on the sexual behavior of adolescents.

Key Statistics:

In a survey of 751 black young people, adolescent perceptions of maternal disapproval of premarital sex and satisfaction with the mother-child relationship were significantly related to abstinence from adolescent sexual activity and to less-frequent sexual intercourse and more consistent use of contraceptives among sexually active young people.
Teenagers who reported a low level of satisfaction with their mother were more than twice as likely as those highly satisfied with their relationship to be having sexual intercourse.
Discussions about birth control were associated with an increased likelihood that adolescents were sexually active. Such discussions were not significantly related to consistent contraceptive use for female adolescents, but were associated with increased contraceptive use for male teenagers.

To View this Resource: www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/2815996.html

Early Predictors of Sexual Behavior: Implications for Young Adolescents and their Parents

Source: Lisa Lierberman, “Early Predictors of Sexual Behavior: Implications for Young Adolescents and their Parents,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 38.2 (June 2006).

Description: This report contains the findings of a study to examine characteristics of sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade characteristics as predictors of sexual activity in ninth grade.

Key Statistics:

Seventh graders in serious relationships with older teenagers—uniquely defined as those two or more years older—have an increased likelihood of having sexual intercourse in the ninth grade.
Seventh graders of both genders who have had serious romantic relationships had peers who were more accepting of sexual activity, had experienced more unwanted sexual advances and situations that could lead to sex (i.e., where parental monitoring is limited), and, for females, had undergone earlier menarche.

To View this Resource: www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3811206.html

Sexual Intentions of Black Preadolescents: Associations with Risk and Adaptive Behaviors

Source: Rex Forehand, et al, “Sexual Intentions of Black Preadolescents: Associations with Risk and Adaptive Behaviors,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 37.1 (March 2005).

Description: This report contains the findings of a study to determine what risk factors impact adolescent sexual behavior and sexual intentions.

Key Statistics:

Alcohol consumption and having been in trouble with the police were the primary youth-reported risk behaviors associated with increased odds of intending to have intercourse.
Being in trouble at home was the primary parent-reported risk behavior associated with increased odds of intending to have intercourse.
Performing well on schoolwork was associated with reduced odds of intending to engage in sex.

To View this Resource: www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3701305.html

Parents’ Smoking, Seat Belt Nonuse May Be Linked to Increased Odds of Adolescent Sexual Debut

Source: L. Remez, “Parents’ Smoking, Seat Belt Nonuse May Be Linked to Increased Odds of Adolescent Sexual Debut,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 35.2 (March/April 2003).

Description: This report contains the findings of a study to examine the relationship between parental smoking and seat belt non-use and the age of onset of adolescent sexual activity.

Key Statistics:

An adolescent whose parent smokes has independently elevated odds of ever having sex and of having sex before age 15.
Adolescent males whose parent rarely uses seat belts have significantly increased odds of ever having sex.

To View this Resource: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3510203.html