The School Contextual Effect of Sexual Debut on Sexual Risk‐Taking: A Joint Parameter Approach |
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| Authors: | Tianji Cai PhD Yisu Zhou PhD Michael D Niño PhD Nichola Driver MPA PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Sociology, University of Macau, E21‐3007, FSS, Av. da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China;2. Faculty of Education, University of Macau, E33‐3022, FED, Av. da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China;3. Department of SociologyWillamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301;4. Nonprofit Leadership StudiesUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 S. University Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204 |
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| Abstract: | BACKGROUND Previous research has identified individual and school‐level characteristics that are associated with sexual risk‐taking, but the impact of school‐level mechanisms on sexual risk‐taking is not well understood. We examine the aggregated effects that early sex at the school level have on risky sexual behaviors. METHODS We use 3 waves of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. An individual's first sexual intercourse before age 15 was recorded along with various risky sexual behaviors at debut. Two variables at respondent's later stage of life were also included: having sex in exchange for drugs or money, and contraction of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Longitudinal analysis was conducted using a joint parameter model that tested unobserved school effects on individual behaviors simultaneously. RESULTS An increase in early sexual initiation at the school level was associated with higher probability of sexual debut, along with increased involvement in sexual risk‐taking controlling for student family background. CONCLUSIONS School behavioral mechanisms are directly related to sexual health behaviors among youth. Our findings have implications for school‐based interventions, education programs, and the role of parents. |
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| Keywords: | sexual debut sexual risk behavior Add Health contextual effect |
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