Self-reported alcohol use and sexual behaviors of adolescents

Michael S. Dunn, R. Todd Bartee, Michael A. Perko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Research has demonstrated a relation between alcohol use and engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. Alcohol use, especially binge drinking, has been linked to a host of problems including high-risk sexual behavior, date rape, and academic problems. As such, the purpose of this study was to provide a descriptive profile of alcohol consumption among adolescents and to examine the relations of alcohol use (lifetime, current, binge) with sexual activity variables (sexual initiation, multiple sex partners, condom use, and pregnancy) among adolescents completing the 1993-1999 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Analysis showed alcohol use was associated with high-risk sexual activity. Binge drinking had stronger relations with sexual activity variables than lifetime use and current use of alcohol. This result is of particular concern, in that binge drinking has been implicated in many problem behaviors. As such, it is of great importance to intervene in the high-risk practices of adolescents before problems occur.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)339-348
Number of pages10
JournalPsychological reports
Volume92
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychology(all)

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