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The Number of Sexual Partners and Health-Risking Sexual Behavior: Prediction from High School Entry to High School Exit

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Abstract

Precursors to adolescent health-risking sexual behavior (HRSB) were examined in a normative sample of 373 adolescents (48.0% female, n = 178). Using a variable-oriented approach, we regressed the number of sexual partners at high school exit (age 17) on parental monitoring, association with delinquent peers, romantic relationship status, problem behavior, physical maturity, and tobacco and alcohol use at high school entry (age 14); all emerged as significant predictors except alcohol use and physical maturity (we found sex differences in physical maturity and romantic relationship status, with females being more advanced in both areas). Sexual experimentation at high school entry served to partially or fully mediate the impact of these factors. A person-oriented approach, using a broader measure of HRSB, found three subgroups of adolescents: abstainers, low-risk-takers, and high-risk-takers. Results predicting membership in these groups generally followed those from the variable-oriented analysis. Implications for the prevention of HRSB and future research directions are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

Support for the data collection in this study was provided by R01 MH037911, NIMH, US PHS. Additional support was provided by the following grants: P30 DA023920 and R01 DA024672, NIDA, US PHS. We would like to thank Gordon Harold for his statistical consultation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon Social Learning Center, 10 Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, Eugene, OR, 97401-4928, USA

    Mark J. Van Ryzin, Leslie D. Leve & Hyoun K. Kim

  2. Survey Research Lab, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA

    Amber B. Johnson

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  1. Mark J. Van Ryzin
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  2. Amber B. Johnson
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  3. Leslie D. Leve
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  4. Hyoun K. Kim
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Correspondence to Mark J. Van Ryzin.

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Van Ryzin, M.J., Johnson, A.B., Leve, L.D. et al. The Number of Sexual Partners and Health-Risking Sexual Behavior: Prediction from High School Entry to High School Exit. Arch Sex Behav 40, 939–949 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-010-9649-5

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