1. Introduction Results Hypotheses Discussion Method
Sexual Activity as a Predictor of Adolescent Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, and Self-Esteem: Considering Relationship Context as a Moderator
Olivia G. Jewell1, David E. Szwedo1, & Joseph P. Allen2
1James Madison University
2University of Virginia
Olivia G. Jewell
Introduction
Measures
Depressive Symptoms: Assessed using the Child Depression Inventory (age 17) and the Beck Depression Inventory (age 18), which are well-validated, self-report measures of depressive symptoms
Anxiety: Assessed using the Beck Anxiety inventory (age 17) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (age 18), self-report measures of anxiety symptoms
Self-Worth Assessed using the Child HARTER and Adult HARTER, self-report measures of self-worth at ages 17 and 18
Dating History The Introduction to Dating Questionnaire was used to assess participants’ relationship status
Sexual Activity The Sexual Experiences Questionnaire asked questions about whether or not the teen had had sex and at what age, as well as contexts in which they think it would be okay to have sex
Table 1. Intercorrelations between primary variables
Most research on teenage risk behaviors includes sexual activity without question and generally find that sexual activity can lead to poor outcomes on mental health. However, recent research has indicated that sexual activity within a monogamous relationship can potentially have the opposite effect on mental health in adolescents as has been previously indicated
In one study, sexual activity did not show any correlation with delinquent behavior in young adulthood. Delinquency was also lower for those who had engaged in sexual activity within the context of a romantic relationship (Harden & Mendle, 2011).
Sexual activity can be important to teenage growth and development, and can help them explore their sexuality in a healthy way. This has been linked to competence, intimacy and well-being (Harden, 2014)
Several studies show positive outcomes related to adolescent sexual behavior, including increased well-being, higher self-esteem and lower levels of stress (Brody, 2002, Goodson, Buhi, & Dunsmore, 2006, Vrangalova & Savin-Williams, 2011).
Figure 2. Correlations with age at first sex
Results
Correlations suggest that later age at first sex is associated with greater self-worth
However, regression analyses showed that age at first sex did not predict self-worth in later adolescent years, after controlling for baseline self-worth, gender, and household income
Age at first sex also did not predict depressive symptoms in later adolescence after controlling for baseline depressive symptoms, gender, and household income in regression analyses
When baseline anxiety was controlled for, waiting until a later age to first have sex predicted a relative decrease in levels of anxiety
Relationship status was unrelated to the mental health measures
The main interaction that was found was that adolescents who said it was okay to have sex with a romantic partner and had sex at a younger age had lower levels of self-worth one year later
Hypotheses
Adolescents who participate in sexual activity will show higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of self-esteem.
Adolescents who are in a healthy romantic relationship will show lower rates of anxiety and depression and higher levels of self-esteem.
Adolescents who participate in sexual activity within the context of a healthy romantic relationship will show lower rates of anxious and depressive symptoms compared to adolescents who participate in these behaviors outside the context of a romantic relationship.
Discussion
Teens may not have associated the age at which they first had sex with their ideas of self-worth. This could have also been why depressive symptoms were not predicted by age at first sex.
Some teens may have been anxious about being in a relationship and “jumped the gun” to have sex before they may have been ready to, meaning that those who waited were less anxious to do so early.
Teens who said it was okay to have sex with a partner, may have done so at an early age, and the later decrease in self-worth may have partially resulted from a romantic relationship ending poorly.
Out of the participants, few answered the questions about sexual activity, meaning that there was not enough data there to find a useful interaction.
Further studies specifically asking teenagers about their sexual experiences might lead to better results, especially ones that are done now, when teenage hookup culture is more common
Figure 1. Interaction between age at first sex and self worth
Method
The data for this study came from a small city in the Southeastern United States.
There were 184 participants who were surveyed along with their parents, best friends and romantic partners