The Later, the Better? Early, Average, and Late Timing of Sexual Experiences in Adolescence and Psychosocial Adjustment in Young Adulthood

Abstract

The present article challenges the assumption that later timing of sexual experiences is unequivocally associated with higher psychosocial adjustment. Data from two representative cross-sectional German studies conducted in 1996 and 2005 were analyzed to examine the psychosocial adjustment of young adults (age 20–29) who had their first sexual experiences early (before age 16), at an average age (between age 16 and 18), or late (later than age 18 or not yet). Early timing of sexual experiences was associated with lower educational attainment. Late timing of sexual experiences was associated with poorer social relations. Early and late timing of sexual experiences were associated with lower subjective well-being. Results were replicated across the two studies and controlled for sociodemographic characteristics and (in Study 1) early adversities, parental involvement, and pubertal timing. These findings show that not only early but also late timing of first sexual experiences can be associated with lower psychosocial adjustment in selected domains in young adulthood. Further research is needed to understand maladaptive correlates of late sexual timing.

Vaginal and Oral Sex Initiation Timing: A Focus on Gender and Race/Ethnicity

“…Given prior research documenting the association between timing of sexual initiation and health and well-being (Haase et al, 2012; Sandfort et al, 2008; Spriggs & Halpern, 2008a; 2008b), and the possibility that sexual inexperience among young adults may be linked with emotional, social, and psychological outcomes, it is important to identify factors that influence engaging in a number of different sexual activities at non-normative ages, both early and late, as well as remaining inexperienced into one's mid-twenties and early thirties. Thus, the present study explores age cut-offs that mark the entry into sexual behaviors (both vaginal and oral sex) for both young women and men, which were then used to create sexual initiation timing categories (i.e.…”

“…When young people experience major life transitions, such as engaging in vaginal or oral sex, is often regulated by cultural norms, beliefs, and expectations, which are often based on age (Elder, 1994). Indeed research shows that violating age-graded norms, such as engaging in sexual activity at a non-normative age (both early and late) is related to young people's well-being as they grow and develop (Haase, Landberg, Schmidt, Lüdke, & Silbereisen, 2012; Harden, 2012; Spriggs & Halpern, 2008a; 2008b). Therefore, it is important to identify the risk and protective factors associated with non-normative sexual initiation, which in turn influences later development.…”

“…Actions that are not consistent with age-based norms may be deemed as inappropriate, negatively impacting the well-being of individuals. Although nearly all individuals in the United States have initiated sexual activity by their mid-twenties and early thirties (Eisenberg, Shindel, Smith, Lue, & Walsh, 2009; Haydon et al, 2014), sexual initiation that occurs earlier or later relative to one's peers has been shown to be associated with adverse health outcomes (Haase et al, 2012), as well as various sexual risk factors (Sandfort, Orr, Hirsch, & Santelli, 2008). For example, those who transition early, particularly young girls, experience a greater risk for depression during adolescence (Spriggs & Halpern, 2008a).…”

“…Only a handful of studies have investigated the influence of delayed sexual initiation on outcomes, finding that late initiation is associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and lower levels of positive affect in young adulthood (Haase et al, 2012), and long-term sexual problems, especially among men (Sandfort et al, 2008). Even fewer studies have focused on sexual abstinence, specifically among those who remain abstinent into adulthood.…”

Early Sexual Initiation and Mental Health: A Fleeting Association or Enduring Change?

“…Madkour et al (2010) explain that there is no consensus definition of early sexual initiation, and it is unclear whether a definition should be drawn from the statistical distribution of age at first intercourse or based on an age before which individuals who initiate sexual intercourse are more susceptible to negative outcomes. Absent a single standard, researchers typically define early sexual initiation as occurring at or before 14–16 years old (Haase, Landberg, Schmidt, Lüdke, & Silbereisen, 2012; Hallfors et al, 2004; Madkour, Farhat, Halpern, Godeau, & Gabhainn, 2010; Rector, Johnson, & Noyes, 2003; Waller et al, 2006; Zimmer-Gembeck & Helfand, 2008). …”