Early Sexual Initiation and Mental Health

A Fleeting Association or Enduring Change

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12387899
AutoresRose Wesche (0000-0001-9759-0526, Pennsylvania State University, autor correspondente), Derek A Kreager (0000-0002-9136-1404, Pennsylvania State University), Eva S Lefkowitz (0000-0001-9227-0662, University of Connecticut), Sonja E Siennick (0000-0002-4555-0247, Florida State University)
Ano2017
Volume27
Fascículo3
Páginas611-627
Data de publicação2017-02-10
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Research on Adolescence (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1050-8392 • E-ISSN: 1532-7795
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jora.12303
PMID28776829
OpenAlexW2587576515
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas11
Referências citadas78

The present research examined how the within-person association between sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms decays over time, using data with annual measurement occasions across adolescence (N = 1,789) and statistical models of within-person change. Sexual initiation was associated with increased levels of internalizing symptoms for early-initiating girls (ninth grade, approximately age 15), but not for on-time-initiating girls or for boys. The association between girls' early sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms declined precipitously over time. Indeed, 1 year after sexual debut, early-initiating girls were similar to on-time or noninitiating girls on internalizing symptoms, suggesting early sexual initiation does not produce lasting detriments to girls' mental health. Findings inform how researchers perceive sexual initiation, both as a developmental milestone and as a prevention target

Association (psychology · Developmental psychology · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Child Abuse and Trauma · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Psychology