Associations Between Patterns of Sexual Initiation, Sexual Partnering, and Sexual Health Outcomes from Adolescence to Early Adulthood

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine, in a nationally representative sample, relationships between various sexual initiation patterns, subsequent sexual partnerships, and related health outcomes from adolescence through early adulthood. Data were from a subset of 6587 respondents from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Bivariate analyses and adjusted logistic and ordinary least squares regression models were used to determine associations between membership in three sexual initiation classes, lifetime sexual partner counts, and multiple health outcomes, including lifetime sexually transmitted infection or disease (STI/STD) diagnosis, lifetime unintended pregnancy, and romantic relationship quality. Broadly, having fewer lifetime sexual partners was associated with lower odds of STI/STD diagnosis and unintended pregnancy, and better relationship quality; however, findings also indicated both within and between sexual initiation class differences in the relationship between lifetime sexual partners and all three health outcomes. In particular, results showed little variation in health outcomes by sexual partnering among those who postponed sexual activity, but members of the class characterized by early and atypical sexual initiation patterns who had fewer lifetime partners exhibited better health outcomes than most other initiation groups. These results show that while both sexual initiation and partnering patterns add important information for understanding sexual health from adolescence to early adulthood, partnering may be more relevant to these sexual health outcomes. Findings indicate a need for more comprehensive sexuality education focused on sexual risk reduction and promotion of relationship skills among adolescents and adults.

A Decade Review of Sex and Partnering in Adolescence and Young Adulthood

“…This data set is versatile in that it was used to study a variety of topics related to both adolescent and emerging adult experiences. For example, several studies used Add Health to examine dating behavior (Meier & Allen, 2009), sexual practices (Kahn & Halpern, 2018), and the role of alcohol use in later casual sex behavior during emerging adulthood (Johnson, 2013). In addition, researchers continues to use the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (Manlove et al, 2012; https://www.nlsinfo.org/ content/cohorts/nlsy97) as well as the General Social Survey (Monto & Carey, 2014).…”

Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors among women: Associations with sexual risk

“…, which are both associated with higher risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Kahn & Halpern, 2018;Pflieger, Cook, Niccolai, & Connell, 2013;Van Wagoner, Harbison, Drewry, Turnipseed, & Hook, 2011). One factor that may link risky behaviors such as disordered eating and risky sex is the personality trait of impulsivity (Culbert & Klump, 2005;Liang & Tseng, 2011).…”

“…There is increasing evidence that risky health behaviors, which can include disordered eating, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors, tend to cluster together (Hingson & Zha, ; Mewton et al, ). Sexual risk behaviors that may cluster together include the number of sexual partners and unprotected sex (Ashenhurst, Wilhite, Harden, & Fromme, ), which are both associated with higher risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Kahn & Halpern, ; Pflieger, Cook, Niccolai, & Connell, ; Van Wagoner, Harbison, Drewry, Turnipseed, & Hook, ). One factor that may link risky behaviors such as disordered eating and risky sex is the personality trait of impulsivity (Culbert & Klump, ; Liang & Tseng, ).…”

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Male and Female Adolescents Before and After Kidney Transplantation: A Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium Study

“…In our study, the onset of sexual activity was not assessed out of concerns that in a multisite trial, the investigators could not assure patient confidentiality relative to their parents/caregivers for all participants. However, obtaining this information in future studies would be helpful in assessing clinical risk and outcomes in patients with chronic diseases (33,34). In children with CKD and on dialysis, contrary to what was believed in the past, recent cohort studies have shown that growth and sexual maturation are only slightly delayed compared to healthy subjects (35).…”