%0 Journal Article %J J Sex Res %D 2014 %T Sexual risk behavior in young adulthood: broadening the scope beyond early sexual initiation. %A Epstein, Marina %A Bailey, Jennifer A %A Manhart, Lisa E %A Hill, Karl G %A Hawkins, J D %K Adolescent %K Adolescent Behavior %K Adult %K Child %K Female %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Risk-Taking %K Sexual Behavior %K Time Factors %K Young Adult %X

A robust link between early sexual initiation and sexual risk-taking behavior is reported in previous studies. The relationship may not be causal, however, as the effect of common risk factors is often not considered. The current study examined whether early initiation was a key predictor of risky sexual behavior in the 20s and 30s, over and above co-occurring individual and environmental factors. Data were drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal panel of 808 youth. Early predictors (ages 10 to 15) and sexual risk taking (ages 21 to 24 and 30 to 33) were assessed prospectively. Early sexual initiation (before age 15) was entered into a series of probit regressions that also included family, neighborhood, peer, and individual risk factors. Although a positive bivariate relation between early sexual initiation and sexual risk taking was observed at both ages, the link did not persist when co-occurring risk factors were included. Behavioral disinhibition and antisocial peer influences emerged as the strongest predictors of sexual risk over and above early sexual initiation. These results suggest that early sexual initiation must be considered in the context of common antecedents; public health policy aimed at delaying sexual intercourse alone is unlikely to substantially reduce sexual risk behavior in young adulthood.

%B J Sex Res %V 51 %P 721-30 %8 2014 %G eng %N 7 %R 10.1080/00224499.2013.849652 %0 Journal Article %J J Adolesc Health %D 2012 %T Romantic relationship characteristics and alcohol use: longitudinal associations with dual method contraception use. %A Bailey, Jennifer A %A Fleming, Charles B %A Catalano, Richard F %A Haggerty, Kevin P %A Manhart, Lisa E %K Adult %K Age Factors %K Alcohol Drinking %K Contraception %K Contraception Behavior %K Female %K Humans %K Interpersonal Relations %K Linear Models %K Male %K Multivariate Analysis %K Sexual Behavior %K Sexually Transmitted Diseases %K Time Factors %K Young Adult %X

PURPOSE: Dual method contraception use, or the use of one type of contraceptive intended to prevent pregnancy combined with another type intended to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infection, may be the most effective method to prevent both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. This study tested the association between relationship length, relationship type (married, cohabiting, dating but not cohabiting), global alcohol use, and situational alcohol use and the probability of dual method contraception use from 20 to 23 years of age.

METHODS: Hierarchical linear modeling analyses were conducted using longitudinal data from 754 sexually active male and female young adults aged 20-23 years. Dependent variables included both any dual method contraception use and consistent dual method contraception use.

RESULTS: Between 15% and 20% of respondents reported consistent dual method contraception use at each time point. Longer relationship length and more committed relationship type were associated with a lower probability of both any and consistent dual method contraception use. Situational alcohol use (drinking before sex), but not global alcohol use, also was related to a lower probability of both any and consistent dual method contraception use. Increasing age was associated with a lower probability of any dual method contraception use, but was not related to consistent dual method use.

CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to promote dual method contraception among young adults should include messages discouraging drinking before sex and supporting dual method use even in the context of committed relationships.

%B J Adolesc Health %V 50 %P 450-5 %8 2012 May %G eng %N 5 %R 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.09.008