Predicting Age of Sexual Initiation

Family-Level Antecedents in Three Ethnic Groups

Bibliographic Data

ID11672061
AuthorsKristin L Moilanen (0000-0001-6904-048X, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA, corresponding author), Janie M Leary (Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV, USA), Suzanna Watson (0000-0002-9225-8919, West Virginia University), S Michelle Watson (West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA), Jason Ottley (West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA)
Year2015
Volume38
Issue1
Pages28-49
Publication date2015-05-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Early Adolescence (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0272-4316 • E-ISSN: 1552-5449
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0272431615586462
OpenAlexW2348653849
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited39

We investigated how family characteristics and experiences during early adolescence predicted timing of sexual initiation. In addition, we investigated adolescent sex and race/ethnicity as potential moderating factors. As part of the Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1979 (CNLSY-79), 799 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years provided data at 2-year intervals between 1994 and 2010 (51.7% male; 24.5% Hispanic, 36.5% African American, 38.9% European American); their mothers also provided data in 1986 and 1994. Analyses indicated that early sexual initiation was primarily attributable to male sex, Black race, early maternal childbearing, father absence, and adolescents’ autonomous decision making during early adolescence. Multigroup path models suggested that few effects were moderated by sex or race/ethnicity. We discuss implications of these findings for future research and prevention/intervention efforts

Developmental psychology · Ethnic group · Family planning · Intervention (counseling · National Survey of Family Growth · Path analysis (statistics · Population · Race (biology · Research methodology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Child Abuse and Trauma · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Gender Studies · Psychology