Sexual behavior and nonsexual deviance: A sibling study of their relationship.

Abstract

Analyzed the correlation of nonsexual deviance and physical, sexual behavior using a sibling design. Hypothesized that both types of behavior are partly determined by a latent trait of deviance proneness, d. In two separate studies-one based on an Oklahoma dataset of college students and their siblings, and the other, on the Adolescent Sexuality Project (ADSEX) dataset of high-school students and their siblings in Tallahassee, Florida-found a strong relationship between relatively early sexual intimacy and nonsexual forms of deviance. Siblings were more alike than chance in deviance and in physical sexual behavior. Most critical for the model, there was also an association between one sibling's sexual intimacy with a partner and the other's deviance. Using LISREL, tested the latenttrait model statistically and accepted it as consistent with the obtained correlations.

Adolescent Sexuality: Behavior and Meaning

“…Consistent linkages have been found between early sexual activity and other forms of misconduct, including delinquent activities (Costa et al, 1995;Ketterlinus et al, 1992), substance use (Halpern-Felsher, Millstein, & Ellen, 1996), and such behaviors as cheating on tests (Rodgers & Rowe, 1990). Some scholars have suggested that the association among problem behaviors refl ects a common deviance trait (Rowe et al, 1989b) or a personality disposition towards unconventionality (Costa et al, 1995). It could also represent an emerging lifestyle or pattern of adaptation.…”

Adolescent Development in Interpersonal Context

“…Positive sibling relationships contribute to adolescents' academic competence, sociability, autonomy, and self-worth (e.g., Hetherington et al, 1999;Rowe, Rodgers, Meseck-Bushey, & St. John, 1989). A close sibling relationship can partially ameliorate the negative effects of not having friends in school (East & Rook, 1992), and siblings can serve as sources of advice and guidance (Tucker, Barber, & Eccles, 1997;.…”

“…A close sibling relationship can partially ameliorate the negative effects of not having friends in school (East & Rook, 1992), and siblings can serve as sources of advice and guidance (Tucker, Barber, & Eccles, 1997;. At the same time, siblings are often similar in problem behaviors (K. Conger, R. Slomkowski et al, 2001), such as early sexual activity, early pregnancy (e.g., East & Jacobson, 2001;East & Kiernan, 2001), drug use, and antisocial behavior (e.g., Ardelt & Day, 2002;Bullock & Dishion, 2002;Rowe et al, 1989). These similarities raise the question of whether older siblings' problem behaviors are a risk factor for younger siblings.…”

“…Peers, especially best friends, also contribute to individual differences in sexual expectations, attitudes, and behaviors, albeit more so among girls than boys (e.g., East, Felice, & Morgan, 1993;Whitbeck, Conger, & Kao, 1993). For European American males, though apparently not for African American males, a similar association may reflect selection of friends with similar activities and values (e.g., Bauman & Ennett, 1996;Billy, Rodgers, & Udry, 1984;Rowe et al, 1989).…”

The effect of the timing and spacing of births on the level of labor market involvement of married women

“…Numerous papers provide empirical evidence that siblings' behavior influences a wide range of indices of fertility behavior: Rowe et al (1989), Rodgers and Rowe (1988), Haurin and Mott (1990), Axinn, Clarkberg, and Thornton (1994). 16 By comparison, Rosenzweig and Wolpin (1980), who use twins at the first birth as instrument for fertility, find that among women who have the first birth between 15 and 24, completed fertility, as measured 20 years later, was 0.15 greater for those women who had twins than for those women without twins.…”