Change in Age-Specific, Psychosocial Correlates of Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Youth: Longitudinal Findings From a Deep South, High-Risk Sample.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

The current study examined psychosocial predictors of change in intercourse frequency and number of sexual partners among youth within a socio-ecological framework and assessed whether these determinants vary by stage of adolescent development. Longitudinal data were derived from a large, community study of adolescent risky behavior among predominantly high-risk, African American youth. Significant predictors of intercourse frequency for early adolescents included age, gender, self-worth, and familial factors; for older youth, age, gender, self-worth, curfews, and sense of community exerted significant effects. Among early adolescents, age, gender, self-worth, familial factors, and sense of community predicted change in the number of sexual partners in the previous year, while age, gender, self-worth, parental knowledge, curfews, and sense of community were predictive of change in the number of sexual partners in the previous year among older youth. Study implications and future directions are discussed.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Ritchwood, TD; Howell, RJ; Traylor, AC; Church, WT; Bolland, JM

Published Date

  • November 1, 2014

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 23 / 8

Start / End Page

  • 1366 - 1377

PubMed ID

  • 26388682

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC4574299

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1062-1024

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s10826-013-9794-2

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States