The Association Between Sexual Health and Physical, Mental, and Social Health in Adolescent Women

Abstract

Purpose: Developmental models link sexual well-being to physical, mental/emotional and social well-being, yet little empirical literature evaluates these relationships in adolescents. Better understanding of how and when sexuality complements other aspects of health may yield important points to enhance existing health education and prevention efforts.Methods: Data were drawn from a ten year longitudinal cohort study of sexual relationships and sexual behavior among adolescent women (N=387; 14 to 17 years at enrollment). Sexual health data were drawn from quarterly partner-specific interviews, and were linked to physical, mental/emotional and social health information in annual questionnaires. Random intercept, mixed effects linear, ordinal logistic or binary logistic regression were used to estimate the influence of sexual health on health and well-being outcomes (Stata, v.23). All models controlled for participant age and race/ethnicity.Results: Higher sexual health was significantly associated with less frequent nicotine and substance use, lower self-reported depression, lower thrill seeking, higher self-esteem, having fewer friends who use substances, higher religiosity, better social integration, lower frequency of delinquent behavior and crime, and more frequent community group membership. Sexual health was not associated with the number of friends who used cigarettes.Conclusions: Positive sexually-related experiences in romantic relationships during adolescence may complement physical, mental/emotional and social health. Addressing specific aspects of healthy sexual development during clinical encounters could dually help primary prevention and health education address other common adolescent health issues.3 Implications and Contribution: Higher sexual health in adolescent women is associated with improved physical, mental/emotional and social health, including lower nicotine and substance use, lower self-reported depression, higher self-esteem, more positive attitudes towards school and less frequent delinquency/crime.Experience in romantic/sexual relationships may complement skills needed to support positive health behavior.

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