Current Search: Wesche, Rose (x) » journal article (x)
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Title
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Early Sexual Initiation and Mental Health: A Fleeting Association or Enduring Change?.
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Creator
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Wesche, Rose, Kreager, Derek A, Lefkowitz, Eva S, Siennick, Sonja E
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Abstract/Description
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The present research examined how the within-person association between sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms decays over time, using data with annual measurement occasions across adolescence (N = 1,789) and statistical models of within-person change. Sexual initiation was associated with increased levels of internalizing symptoms for early-initiating girls (ninth grade, approximately age 15), but not for on-time-initiating girls or for boys. The association between girls' early sexual...
Show moreThe present research examined how the within-person association between sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms decays over time, using data with annual measurement occasions across adolescence (N = 1,789) and statistical models of within-person change. Sexual initiation was associated with increased levels of internalizing symptoms for early-initiating girls (ninth grade, approximately age 15), but not for on-time-initiating girls or for boys. The association between girls' early sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms declined precipitously over time. Indeed, 1 year after sexual debut, early-initiating girls were similar to on-time or noninitiating girls on internalizing symptoms, suggesting early sexual initiation does not produce lasting detriments to girls' mental health. Findings inform how researchers perceive sexual initiation, both as a developmental milestone and as a prevention target.
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Date Issued
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2017-09-01
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Identifier
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FSU_pmch_28776829, 10.1111/jora.12303, PMC5546176, 28776829, 28776829
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Format
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Citation
