Predicting Age of Sexual Initiation

Family-Level Antecedents in Three Ethnic Groups

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11672061
AutoresKristin L Moilanen (0000-0001-6904-048X, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA, autor de correspondencia), 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)
Año2015
Volumen38
Número1
Páginas28-49
Fecha de publicación2015-05-15
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaThe Journal of Early Adolescence (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0272-4316 • E-ISSN: 1552-5449
EditorialSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0272431615586462
OpenAlexW2348653849
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas39

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