Childhood behavior problems linked to sexual risk taking in young adulthood: a birth cohort study.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Objective
To study whether behavioral and emotional problems during childhood predicted early sexual debut, risky sex at age 21 years, and sexually transmitted infections up to age 21 years. Some possible mediational pathways were also explored.Method
Participants were enrolled in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (n = 1,037), a prospective, longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort born in 1972-1973. Data obtained at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 21 years were used. Adjustment was made for gender, socioeconomic status, parenting factors, and residence changes.Results
High levels of antisocial behavior between age 5 and 11 years were associated with increased odds of early sexual debut (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.17, 95% confidence [CI] 1.34-3.54) and risky sex (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.04-3.40). No relationship was observed between hyperactivity and later sexual health outcomes. In contrast, high levels of anxiety were associated with reduced odds of risky sex (AOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.80) and sexually transmitted infections (AOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.70). Involvement with delinquent peers explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut and risky sex. A poor relationship with parents also explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut.Conclusions
The findings demonstrate links between behavioral and emotional problems occurring early in life and later deleterious sexual health outcomes. Targeting antisocial behavior and teaching accurate appraisals of danger during childhood may help mitigate these negative consequences.Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Ramrakha, S; Bell, ML; Paul, C; Dickson, N; Moffitt, TE; Caspi, A
Published Date
- October 2007
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 46 / 10
Start / End Page
- 1272 - 1279
PubMed ID
- 17885568
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1527-5418
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0890-8567
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1097/chi.0b013e3180f6340e
Language
- eng