Sex, drugs, and early emerging risk: Examining the association between sexual debut and substance use across adolescence

Abstract

<p>Sexual debut, or first intercourse, predicts problem behaviors such as substance use. This association could reflect a direct effect of debut itself, general developmental trends, or the fact that some youth are more predisposed to a wide array of problem behaviors (e.g., risky sex, substance use). Understanding the association between sexual debut and substance use thus requires methods that can distinguish between these various accounts. In this study the association between sexual debut and substance use was investigated in a longitudinal sample of Mexican-origin youth (N = 674) assessed annually from 5th (Mage = 10.86 years, SD = 0.51) through 12th grade (Mage = 17.69 years, SD = 0.48). The longitudinal aspect of the data allowed the direct effect of sexual debut on substance use to be tested while accounting for long-term trends in substance use, and stable individual differences in those trends based on early risk and debut timing. Substance use increased over time, and early risk and debut were consistently associated with more substance use. Sexual debut also modestly predicted an increase in substance use after accounting for these effects, however. Taken together, results provide some evidence consistent with each of the potential explanations for the association between sexual debut and substance use across adolescence.</p>

Family Structure and History of Childhood Trauma: Associations With Risk-Taking Behavior Among Adolescents in Swaziland

“…For example, Kheswa and Tikimana ( 29 ) concluded that due to the death of parental figures mostly as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, many adolescents are left in child-headed households and tend to engage in risk-taking behavior such as unhealthy sexual practices and alcohol abuse. Additionally, in Swaziland, it has been uncovered that one of the underlying factors promoting alcohol and substance usage is the lack of parental guidance due to the high HIV mortality rates leaving most children parentless thus more prone to risk adoption ( 9 ). This can be explained by the fact that parents are said to serve as a source of external monitoring (parental behaviors involving attention to and tracking of children's whereabouts and activities) throughout childhood and adolescence ( 30 ).…”

“…This is the case because this challenging developmental period is marked by increased levels of curiosity and self-doubt which heightens the potential for engaging in risk-related activities ( 7 ). Additionally, significant physical, cognitive, and psychological changes as well as sexual development occurs ( 8 ) which prompts sexual experimentation ( 9 ). With the developing young men, sexual forces are awakened which fuels the likelihood of engagement in risky sexual behavior ( 10 ).…”

“…Adolescents also have elevated levels of egocentrism, which refers to a state of heightened self-consciousness as well as elevated levels of attention-seeking behavior as they attempt to be noticed or visible and consider themselves unique which is all linked to elevated risk-taking behavior like drug use and suicides ( 8 ). Psychologically, adolescence is the period of identity formation, integration, and commitment whereby adolescents conform more to peer pressure in their quest to uncover who they are outside their parents, thus making them more prone to risk adoption ( 9 ).…”