Cited by 482Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive HealthSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesHIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk

Adolescent substance use and sexual risk-taking behavior

Abstract

Purpose To examine the relationship of adolescent substance use and dependence to sexual risk-taking behavior in late adolescence and young adulthood.Methods We prospectively examined self-reported sexual behaviors and substance involvement questionnaires in a sample of youth in substance abuse treatment programs and a comparison sample of sociodemographically similar community youths without histories of substance use disorders recruited from media ads. Assessments of sexual behaviors and substance involvement (78% white, 51% female) were collected at 2, 4, and 6 years after initial assessments, as they transitioned from middle adolescence to young adulthood (from age 15.5 to age 21.5 years, on average). The two samples were compared using Chi-square, analysis of variance, and multivariate analysis of variance approaches. Continuous indicators of high-risk sexual behaviors and substance involvement were analyzed with multiple regression.Results Earlier age of onset to sexual activity, more sexual partners, less consistent use of condoms, more sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and greater prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus testing were reported by youth in the clinical treatment sample relative to sociodemographically comparable nonabusing community youth. High rates of STDs were found among females, and more substance-abusing females reported pregnancies than community females. Substance involvement continued to be associated with high-risk sexual behavior throughout the transition into young adulthood.Conclusions Youth identified with substance problems are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors during adolescence and to continue risky sexual behaviors to the extent that substance problems persist. Risk reduction education should be included with adolescent substance abuse treatment.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s1054-139x(00)00169-5

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35 of 35 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Regular marijuana use has a significant negative impact physically, psychologically, and socially.

    “Regular marijuana use has a significant negative impact physically (e.g., Tapert, Aaron, Sedlar, & Brown, 2001;Tashkin et al., 1990), psychologically (e.g., Pope & Yurgelun-Todd, 2004;Solowij, Michie, & Foxe, 1995), and socially (e.g., Haas & Hendin, 1987;Lynskey, Coffey, Degenhardt, Carlin, & Patton, 2003;Rainone, Deren, Kleinman, & Wish, 1987).”
  • Substance misuse is linked to various sexual risk behaviours and to outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections including HIV and unintended pregnancy.

    “substance misuse has been found to be associated with a range of sexual risk behaviours, such as early sexual debut, multiple partners and no or inconsistent condom use, and with the consequences of risk behaviours, such as sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) and unintended pregnancies (Fergusson and Lynskey, 1996;Kotchick et al., 2001;Tapert et al., 2001).”

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Authors
Tapert, S. F., Aarons, G. A., Sedlar, G. R., & Brown, S. A.
Affiliations
  • University of California San Diego (US)
  • University of Nebraska–Lincoln (US)
Corresponding author
Brown, Sandra A
Venue
Journal of Adolescent Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2001-03
Volume
28
Issue
3
Pages
181-189
ISSN
1054-139X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2021339726
Cited by
482
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 34
FWCI
29.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA09033)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
Keywords
adolescent substance use, substance dependence, sexual risk behavior, sexually transmitted infections, HIV testing, condom use, age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, pregnancy, early adulthood, transition from adolescence to young adulthood, addiction treatment, risk reduction education
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Analysis of Variance, California, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Prospective Studies, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Sex Factors, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Social Behavior Disorders, Multivariate Analysis, Substance-Related Disorders, Alcohol-Related Disorders

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