Adolescent predictors of emerging adult sexual patterns.
OBJECTIVE
This study estimates the percentages of young adults who fall into three groups based on the context of sexual transition: (1) those who had vaginal intercourse before marriage (Premaritals), (2) those who postponed sex until after marriage (Postponers), and (3) those who have never had vaginal intercourse (Virgins). The second purpose is to determine adolescent biopsychosocial factors that predict membership in these adult groups.


METHODS
Analyses are based on 11,407 respondents ages 18-27 years who participated in Waves I and III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Adolescent indicators reflecting sociodemographic, biosocial, experiential, and contextual factors were used to predict young adult sexual status using multinomial logistic regression models.


RESULTS
About 8% of the sample were virgins and 2% were virgins until marriage. Almost 90% had sex before marriage (Premaritals--referent group). Most predictors of status were similar for males and females. Compared with Premaritals, Virgins were younger, non-Black, not advanced in physical maturity relative to peers in adolescence, had higher body mass indexes, were more religious, and perceived parental disapproval of sex during adolescence. Postponers were also more religious than Premaritals but were older. Female Postponers were non-Black and perceived parental disapproval of sex during adolescence. Male Postponers were less likely to have same-gender attractions or no sexual attractions.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings document premarital sexual activity as the almost universal sexual trajectory into young adulthood for these cohorts and underscore the roles of biosocial factors and conventional institutions in emerging sexual patterns.
Halpern
Carolyn Tucker
CT
Department of Maternal and Child Health, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-8120, USA. Carolyn_halpern@unc.edu
Waller
Martha W
MW
Spriggs
Aubrey
A
Hallfors
Denise Dion
DD
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012746:Sexual Abstinence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*