Sandhya Ramrakha1, Melanie L Bell2, Charlotte Paul2, Nigel Dickson2, Terrie E Moffitt2, Avshalom Caspi2. 1. Ms. Ramrakha is with the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand; Drs. Bell, Paul, and Dickson are with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School; and Drs. Moffitt and Caspi are with the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and University of Wisconsin, Madison. Electronic address: Sandhya.Ramrakha@dmhdru.otago.ac.nz. 2. Ms. Ramrakha is with the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand; Drs. Bell, Paul, and Dickson are with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School; and Drs. Moffitt and Caspi are with the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study whether behavioral and emotional problems during childhood predicted early sexual debut, risky sex at age 21 years, and sexually transmitted infections up to age 21 years. Some possible mediational pathways were also explored. METHOD: Participants were enrolled in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (n = 1,037), a prospective, longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort born in 1972-1973. Data obtained at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 21 years were used. Adjustment was made for gender, socioeconomic status, parenting factors, and residence changes. RESULTS: High levels of antisocial behavior between age 5 and 11 years were associated with increased odds of early sexual debut (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.17, 95% confidence [CI] 1.34-3.54) and risky sex (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.04-3.40). No relationship was observed between hyperactivity and later sexual health outcomes. In contrast, high levels of anxiety were associated with reduced odds of risky sex (AOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.80) and sexually transmitted infections (AOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.70). Involvement with delinquent peers explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut and risky sex. A poor relationship with parents also explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate links between behavioral and emotional problems occurring early in life and later deleterious sexual health outcomes. Targeting antisocial behavior and teaching accurate appraisals of danger during childhood may help mitigate these negative consequences.
OBJECTIVE: To study whether behavioral and emotional problems during childhood predicted early sexual debut, risky sex at age 21 years, and sexually transmitted infections up to age 21 years. Some possible mediational pathways were also explored. METHOD: Participants were enrolled in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (n = 1,037), a prospective, longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort born in 1972-1973. Data obtained at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 21 years were used. Adjustment was made for gender, socioeconomic status, parenting factors, and residence changes. RESULTS: High levels of antisocial behavior between age 5 and 11 years were associated with increased odds of early sexual debut (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.17, 95% confidence [CI] 1.34-3.54) and risky sex (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.04-3.40). No relationship was observed between hyperactivity and later sexual health outcomes. In contrast, high levels of anxiety were associated with reduced odds of risky sex (AOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.80) and sexually transmitted infections (AOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.70). Involvement with delinquent peers explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut and risky sex. A poor relationship with parents also explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate links between behavioral and emotional problems occurring early in life and later deleterious sexual health outcomes. Targeting antisocial behavior and teaching accurate appraisals of danger during childhood may help mitigate these negative consequences.
Authors: G M Monawar Hosain; Abbey B Berenson; Howard Tennen; Lance O Bauer; Z Helen Wu Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2012-02-03 Impact factor: 2.681
Authors: Flavio Pechansky; Lysa Remy; Hilary L Surratt; Steven P Kurtz; Thiago Botter Maio Rocha; Lisia Von Diemen; Daniela Benzano Bumaguin; James Inciardi Journal: J Drug Issues Date: 2011-03-01
Authors: Antonella Trotta; Louise Arseneault; Avshalom Caspi; Terrie E Moffitt; Andrea Danese; Carmine Pariante; Helen L Fisher Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2020-02-26 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Kimberly B Werner; Renee M Cunningham-Williams; Whitney Sewell; Arpana Agrawal; Vivia V McCutcheon; Mary Waldron; Andrew C Heath; Kathleen K Bucholz Journal: Womens Health Issues Date: 2018-06-11
Authors: Helen W Wilson; Laura Pettineo; Alexus Edmonds; Elizabeth A Goodman; Erin Emerson; Geri R Donenberg Journal: Child Psychiatry Hum Dev Date: 2015-04