Patterns of sexual partnerships among adolescent females

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health 1999-05, Vol.24 (5), p.300-303
• Main Authors: Howard, Monique M, Fortenberry, J.Dennis, Blythe, Margaret J, Zimet, Gregory D, Orr, Donald P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - classification; Adolescent girls; Adolescents; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Classification; Condoms; Couples; Developmental psychology; Female; Females; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health Behavior; Humans; Midwestern States; Patterns; Prospective Studies; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Risk behavior; Risk-Taking; Self Disclosure; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Behavior - classification; Sexual Intercourse; Sexual Partners - classification; Sexual relationships; Sexuality; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - psychology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - transmission; Terminology as Topic; USA; Women's Health
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/S1054-139X(98)00145-1

Objective: To develop a multidimensional classification of sexual partnerships. Methods: Eighty-two female subjects (ages 15–20 years; 77% African American) used coital logs to record dates of 1265 coital events, partner initials, and condom use. Logs were collected at 1-, 3-, 9-, 15-, and 21-month return visits. Three adolescent health professionals independently classified partnership patterns of each subject; classification schemes were revised until complete consensus for each subject was obtained. Results: Complete agreement in partnership classification was reached after 3 rounds. The consensus partnership classification had three dimensions: number (1, ≥2 partners), pattern (1 partner, serially exclusive, concurrent), and duration (any partnership ≤21 days, all partnerships >21 days). A total of 34 of 82 (34%) of subjects had ≥2 partners; 11 of 34 (32%) had concurrent partnerships. Twenty of 82 (24%) had only partnerships lasting >21 days. Condom use was less common for subjects in only longer-term (>21 days) partnerships, but did not significantly vary by number or pattern. Conclusion: Multiple dimensions of adolescent sexual partnerships may be identified. Detailed research and clinical assessments along these dimensions may improve understanding of protective behaviors such as condom use.