Research Report: Which Behavioural and Emotional Problems Predict Early Sexual Behaviour?
Charlotte Goddard
Monday, May 26, 2014
Researchers examine the associations between problems children experience in middle childhood and early sexual behaviour.
Authors Alison Parkes, Andrea Waylen, Kapil Sayal, Jon Heron, Marion Henderson, Daniel Wight, John Macleod
Published by Journal of Youth and Adolescence, April 2014
SUMMARY
The team of researchers looked at associations between a number of problems that can occur in middle childhood (six to 12 years) and early sexual behaviour. Their study - Which Behavioural, Emotional and School Problems in Middle-childhood Predict Early Sexual Behaviour? - uses a sample of 4,739 young people from birth cohort study the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which comprises children born in the county of Avon between April 1991 and December 1992. They wanted to find out which kinds of problems were predictors of early sexual behaviour and whether the timing and persistence of those problems during a young person's childhood had an effect, as well as investigating any gender differences.
Young people in this survey provided information at age 15 about their participation in sexual behaviour and sexual risk taking, and at the age of 13 on sexual behaviour, antisocial behaviour and substance misuse. The survey also collected information at ages six to eight and 10 to 11 on hyperactivity/inattention, conduct problems, depressive symptoms, peer relationship problems, school dislike and school performance.
Almost a quarter of the young people reported sexual activity aged 15, with 16 per cent reporting oral sex and intercourse, two per cent intercourse only and six per cent oral sex only. More girls (26 per cent) than boys (22 per cent) reported early sexual behaviour. The vast majority (88 per cent) of teenagers reporting early sexual behaviour said they had taken at least one sexual risk such as using alcohol or drugs before sex (13 per cent), not using a condom at most recent sex (36 per cent), and not always using a condom (50 per cent). Four in ten of the group said they had engaged in at least three sexual risks.
Engaging in risky behaviour at age 13 was a strong indicator for early sexual behaviour. In the sample as a whole, 17 per cent had engaged in one of four risky behaviours by age 13 - smoking, cannabis use, serious antisocial behaviour or becoming drunk. The proportion was 33 per cent among those engaging in early sexual behaviour.
The researchers found conduct problems which started early and persisted throughout primary school were a predictor for early sexual behaviour, but not problems that started later or were limited to early on in primary school. Conduct problems had a more specific association with early sexual behaviour than with other types of adolescent risk taking, suggesting shared attributes such as sensation-seeking could underlie both behaviours.
Peer relationship problems were a protective factor at both time points with children who had difficulties with peer relationships being less likely to engage in early sexual activity.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
The researchers say their findings point to opportunities for identification and targeted intervention to avoid early sexual activity and associated risk taking. The study supports the idea targeting children with early, persistent conduct problems may be particularly valuable. It also suggests the need to identify children who dislike school, and suggests the possibility of building on existing programmes that aim to enhance school readiness and school engagement. There should be an additional focus on children who become disengaged with school just before puberty.
FURTHER READING
The Effect of Dislike of School on Risk of Teenage Pregnancy: Testing of Hypotheses Using Longitudinal Data From a Randomised Trial of Sex Education, C Bonell, E Allen, V Strange, A Copas, A Oakley, J Stephenson, A Johnson, Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, March 2005. This study of English schools found dislike of school is associated with subsequent increased risk of teenage pregnancy.
The Association of Socioemotional Problems With Early Sexual Initiation. JD McLeod, S Knight. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2010. An analysis of 1,836 US children that found those with early sexual experiences had more intense socioemotional problems than those who did not.
The Impact of Delinquency on Young Adult Sexual Risk Behaviours and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Matthew C Aalsma, Yan Tong, Sarah E Wiehe, Wanzhu Tu, Journal of Adolescent Health, January 2010. A study of 10,828 US young people found delinquent behaviour did not predict sexual risk behaviour.