Most studies on young adults' sources of sexual health information and confidence in sexual health practices have focused primarily on heterosexual university students. This study sought to bridge this gap in the literature by exploring where emerging adults, including LGBTQ+ individuals and those who do not pursue postsecondary education, obtain their sexuality information and how this relates to sexual self-efficacy. A total of 386 adults between the ages of 18 and 25 were divided into higher education (n=306) versus high school (n=80) groups and heterosexual (n=215) versus LGBTQ+ (n=171) emerging adults. Participants completed measures of sexual health information sources, as well as self-efficacy with regard to sexual health practices. Heterosexual participants obtained significantly more information from school/university courses and less from educational websites/news outlets than LGBTQ+ participants. Heterosexual participants were significantly more confident in their sexual health practices than LGBTQ+ participants. Different sources of information helped predict sexual self-efficacy across these four groups. Acquiring more information from significant others was the only significant predictor of sexual self-efficacy for all four groups. This study suggests that sexual health information should be discussed within a more relational or interpersonal framework, and that LGBTQ+ issues should be further incorporated and integrated in sex education curricula. Implications for healthcare providers, public health policy, sex educators, clinicians and future research are discussed.
Objective
Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is linked to disruptions in typical neurodevelopment of brain structures and functioning, including changes in executive functions. Although the relationships among ACEs, executive functions, and psychopathology are well documented in pediatric samples, a systematic review is needed to examine these relationships in adulthood.
Method
A systematic review examining the link between ACEs and executive functions among adult clinical and nonclinical samples was conducted across 33 scientific and grey literature databases. Among reviewed studies, 17 sources met review criteria, with 11 involving clinical samples and six involving nonclinical samples.
Results
Among clinical samples, evidence suggested that ACEs increased risk for executive function difficulties among those diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and those experiencing a first episode of psychosis, however not within those diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Among nonclinical samples, executive function difficulties associated with ACEs were found among those in early and middle adulthood. Not all retrieved sources showed consistent findings, and two studies described better executive function outcomes among those who experienced childhood sexual abuse and emotional abuse.
Conclusions
Executive function difficulties associated with ACEs appear to persist into adulthood, though inconsistently. Future research may further explore distinct differences among specific ACEs and executive function difficulties to further inform ongoing prevention and treatment efforts.
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