Early Sexual Initiation and Mental Health: A Fleeting Association or Enduring Change?

Wesche, Rose; Kreager, Derek A.; Lefkowitz, Eva S.; Siennick, Sonja E.

doi:10.1111/jora.12303

“…Those without a history of the early sexual debut were more likely about 7% to be satisfied with life as compared to those with early sexual debut history. Negative emotional responses to first sexual encounters may also be influenced by psychological factors such as regret or a lack of readiness, which are more common in people who initiate sexual activity early than their on-time initiating peers [ 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early Sexual Debut among Ghanaian Women: Correlates and Psychological Effect

Alhassan

¹

,

Abdulai

²

,

Alhassan

³

2021

BioMed Research International

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Early sexual initiation is linked to an increased risk of HIV/AIDS and other STIs among teenagers, as well as having multiple partners, not using contraception, unintended pregnancy, and illegal abortions. Aim. To identify the correlates and psychological effects of early sexual debut among not-in-union women in Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used for this study using data from Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for the year 2017/2018. SPSS software was used for data analysis, bivariate analysis for association was done using chi-square, and the prediction was done using a binary logistic regression model. The national prevalence of nonmarital early sexual initiation this current study recorded was 56.9%. Predictors variables were age, 15-24/≥35 years ( AOR = 1.51 , 1.28-1.78), ever educated ( AOR = 0.50 , 0.43-0.60), urban address ( AOR = 0.85 , 0.74-0.98), married/single ( AOR = 1.23 , 1.07-1.42), cohabitation/single ( AOR = 1.43 , 1.19-1.72), Greater Accra Region/Upper West Region ( AOR = 0.67 , 0.49-0.92), and health insurance ( AOR = 0.89 , 0.79-0.998). As the wealth indices of the woman decrease from the richest to poorest, the likelihood of early sexual debut inversely increases: fourth/richest ( AOR = 1.23 , 1.04-1.45), middle/richest ( AOR = 1.31 , 1.09-1.58), second/richest ( AOR = 1.38 , 1.11-1.72), and poorest/richest ( AOR = 1.44 , 1.12-1.86); use of the internet ( AOR = 0.58 , 0.50-068); substance use and alcohol ever use ( AOR = 1.32 , 1.17-1.49); cigarette ever use ( AOR = 2.58 , 1.44-4.64); contraceptive use ( AOR = 1.31 , 1.16-1.49); and ever heard of HIV ( AOR = 59 , 0.42-0.82). In conclusion, the prevalence of early sexual debut is still high in Ghana, especially among the northern regions. Several factors predicted early sex debut, and low life satisfaction and happiness were related to early sexual debut.

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“…Given that emotional health outcomes of sexual behavior differ by age (Vasilenko et al, 2016;Meier, 2007;Wesche, Kreager et al, 2017), the association of CSREs with emotional outcomes may also differ by age. Mendle et al (2013) found that associations between CSREs and emotional health were stronger for younger adolescents; however, Manning et al (2005) found that associations between CSREs and emotional health did not differ by age.…”

Section: Demographic Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emotional Outcomes of Casual Sexual Relationships and Experiences: A Systematic Review

Wesche

¹

,

Claxton

²

,

Waterman

³

2020

The Journal of Sex Research

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Casual sexual relationships and experiences (CSREs) are common and emotionally significant occurrences. Given the uncommitted, often emotionally complicated nature of CSREs, researchers have asked whether these experiences may have positive and/or negative emotional consequences. We reviewed 71 quantitative articles examining emotional outcomes of CSREs, including subjective emotional reactions (e.g., excitement, regret) and emotional health (e.g., depression, self-esteem). Overall, people evaluated their CSREs more positively than negatively. In contrast, CSREs were associated with short-term declines in emotional health in most studies examining changes in emotional health within a year of CSRE involvement. Emotional outcomes of CSREs differed across people and situations. Women and individuals with less permissive attitudes toward CSREs experienced worse emotional outcomes of CSREs. Alcohol use prior to CSREs, not being sexually satisfied, and not knowing a partner well were also associated with worse emotional outcomes. These findings suggest directions for prevention/intervention related to CSREs. For example, skill-building related to sexual decision-making may help individuals decide whether, and under what circumstances, CSREs are likely to result in positive or negative emotional outcomes. In addition, the limitations of extant research suggest directions for future inquiry (e.g., examining whether verbal and nonverbal consent practices predict emotional outcomes of CSREs).

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“…Early sexual behaviour may have different health and behavioural outcomes for males and females. Research has associated early sexual initiation among girls with increased levels of internalising symptoms, although this effect may decline over time affecting adult women less [ 11 , 18 ]. Early initiating girls are less likely to use condoms and other contraceptives at first sex, increasing their risk of pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and are more likely to engage in subsequent sexual risk taking behaviour in adolescence and later in life [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-Demographic, Health and Lifestyle Factors Influencing Age of Sexual Initiation among Adolescents

Burke

¹

,

Gabhainn

²

,

Kelly

³

2018

IJERPH

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Behavioural and developmental factors mean that adolescents who initiate sexual intercourse early may be at an increased risk of adverse sexual health outcomes at the time of first sex and later in life. In an Irish context, there is insufficient knowledge about the specific correlates of early sexual initiation. This research explores relationships between contextual socio-demographic, health and lifestyle factors and the timing of first sexual intercourse among 15–17-year-olds in Ireland. Multiple regression analysis was carried out in conjunction with Multiple Imputation using data collected through the 2014 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Ireland study on a sample of 879 sexually active adolescents. The socio-demographic and lifestyle factors measured were a stronger predictor of age of sexual initiation among girls than boys. Risk behaviour initiation was significantly related to age of sexual initiation for adolescents, while alcohol use/drunkenness and unhealthy food consumption was significant among girls only. Family support and number of male friends were significant predictors for boys only. The study highlights the need for holistic approaches to sexual health promotion and provides a foundation for the development of alternative strategies and policies aimed at reducing negative health, well-being, educational and economic outcomes.

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Early Sexual Initiation and Mental Health: A Fleeting Association or Enduring Change?

Cited by 17 publications

References 89 publications

Early Sexual Debut among Ghanaian Women: Correlates and Psychological Effect

Early Sexual Debut among Ghanaian Women: Correlates and Psychological Effect

Emotional Outcomes of Casual Sexual Relationships and Experiences: A Systematic Review

Socio-Demographic, Health and Lifestyle Factors Influencing Age of Sexual Initiation among Adolescents

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