Associations Between Proactive and Reactive Aggression and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Emerging Adults

Risky sexual behavior is more prevalent in emerging adult populations and emerging adults engaging in risky sexual behavior also may be experiencing higher levels of internalizing problems. Parents and their relationships with their children maintain relevance in emerging adulthood and may decrease negative outcomes. Thus, the current study examined whether parent–child relationship quality decreased the likelihood of risky sexual behavior via internalizing problems and examined gender dyads between parents and children. Participants included 502 emerging adults (172 males and 330 females) ranging in age from 18 to 25 years. Structural equation modeling analyses were conducted and indicated that internalizing problems mediated the relationship between parent (both paternal and maternal)–child relationship quality and risky sexual behavior for both males and females. Maternal–child relationship quality predicted lower internalizing problems more strongly for males than for females, suggesting moderated mediation. Thus, both mothers’ and fathers’ relationship with their children may affect risky sexual behavior indirectly via internalizing problems.

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Brief Report

10.1093/oso/9780190057008.003.0022 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 371-382

Author(s):

Melanie Stearns ◽

Mary M Rogers ◽

Cliff McKinney

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

Religious Coping ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Risky Sexual Behavior ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Significant Other ◽

Sexual Risks ◽

And Gender ◽

Southern University ◽

Private Religiosity

Religiosity has been shown to be a protective factor against risky sexual behavior (RSB). The current study sought to identify which aspects of perceived significant other and personal religiosity (i.e., private, coping, conviction, social, and conservatism) predict RSB in emerging adults and how this might differ by gender. The sample (N = 275; 72% female, 28% male) consisted of adults aged 18–25 years (mean = 19.31, SD = 1.42) attending a large Southern university and used the Stearns–McKinney Assessment of Religious Traits scale and Student Sexual Risks Scale. For males, significant other private religiosity and personal conservatism predicted RSB. For females, significant other private religiosity and religious coping as well as personal conviction and conservative religiosity predicted RSB. Thus, religious traits and gender differed regarding the prediction of RSB of emerging adults.

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Risk or Release?: Porn Use Trajectories and the Accumulation of Sexual Partners

Social Currents ◽

10.1177/2329496518780929 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 566-582 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kyler R. Rasmussen ◽

Alex Bierman

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

Sexual Activity ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Risky Sexual Behavior ◽

Latent Class ◽

Sexual Partners ◽

Multiple Sexual Partners ◽

Hurdle Models ◽

Pornography Consumption ◽

Nationally Representative

A central question in the study of pornography consumption is whether consumption influences risky sexual behavior. In this research, we focus on one key aspect of risky sexual behavior, the accumulation of sexual partners. Using longitudinal latent class analysis of a nationally representative sample, we determine distinct trajectories of pornography consumption. We then use hurdle models to relate membership in these trajectories to the initiation of sexual activity and accumulation of sexual partners. Even with controls for likely confounds (such as risk-taking propensity and relationship formation), we find that adolescents with a trajectory of early and regular pornography use are more likely to report the initiation of sexual activity and nearly double the number of sexual partners as those with a low-use trajectory. This research is of sociological interest because pornography consumption is becoming increasingly common well before adulthood, suggesting that recent cohorts of emerging adults may be more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior through the accumulation of multiple sexual partners.

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