Relationship of alcohol use and risky sexual behavior: A review and analysis of findings

In this review article, three methodologic approaches that have been used to examine the association between adolescents' alcohol use and their involvement in risky sex are discussed: global correlation studies, situational covariation studies, and event analyses. The strengths and limitations...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescent health 1996-11, Vol.19 (5), p.331-336
Main Authors: Halpern-Felsher, Bonnie L., Millstein, Susan G., Ellen, Jonathan M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adolescent relationships
Adolescents
Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcohol Use
Alcoholic beverages
Biological and medical sciences
Condom use
Condoms
Factors
Humans
Literature reviews
Medical sciences
Methodology. Experimentation
Population
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Research Design
Risk
Risk Factors
Risk taking
Risky sexual behavior
Sexual Behavior
Sexual behaviour
Sexual Partners
Techniques and methods
Time Factors
Young people
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Summary:In this review article, three methodologic approaches that have been used to examine the association between adolescents' alcohol use and their involvement in risky sex are discussed: global correlation studies, situational covariation studies, and event analyses. The strengths and limitations of each of these research methods are discussed. An extensive review of the most rigorous studies, which used event analysis to examine the alcohol-risky sex link, reveals positive results for first-time sexual events but equivocal findings for other types of sexual relationships. It is argued that differences in the types of sexual relationships studied have been confounded, limiting our ability to evaluate the extent to which alcohol has a causal influence on adolescents' condom use. It is suggested that future investigations consider the nature of the sexual relationship, and go beyond studying the length or status of the relationship to explore how variation in relationship dimensions such as trust and intimacy affect adolescents' sexual behavior.
ISSN:1054-139X
1879-1972
DOI:10.1016/S1054-139X(96)00024-9