Dimensions of Early Adversity and Sexual Behavior in a US Population-Based Adolescent Sample

Early life adversity (ELA) is associated with sexual risk, but ELA dimensions—and potential mechanisms—have been less examined. We evaluated associations between threat and deprivation—two key ELA dimensions—and sexual behaviors in adolescents. Secondary analyses investigated age at menarche as a me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescent health 2023-04, Vol.72 (4), p.560-567
Main Authors: Thomas, Jordan L., Colich, Natalie L., McLaughlin, Katie A., Sumner, Jennifer A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adolescent health
Comorbidity
Deprivation
Early life adversity
Female
Humans
Menarche
Risk Factors
Sex
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Partners
Sexual risk
Threat
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Summary:Early life adversity (ELA) is associated with sexual risk, but ELA dimensions—and potential mechanisms—have been less examined. We evaluated associations between threat and deprivation—two key ELA dimensions—and sexual behaviors in adolescents. Secondary analyses investigated age at menarche as a mechanism linking ELA with sexual outcomes in girls. We predicted associations between threat and sexual behaviors, with younger age at menarche as a pathway. Data were from the National Comorbidity Survey, Adolescent Supplement. Adolescents and caregivers reported on youths' ELA experiences, which were categorized as threat- or deprivation-related. Adolescents reported if they engaged in sex (N = 9,937) and on specific sexual risk indicators, including age at first sex, number of past-year sexual partners, and condom use consistency (“always” vs. “not always” used). Girls reported age at menarche. Threat (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62–1.92]) and deprivation (OR = 1.51 [95% CI, 1.24–1.83]) were each linked with engagement in sex, ps
ISSN:1054-139X
1879-1972
DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.10.028