Childhood behavior problems linked to sexual risk taking in young adulthood: a birth cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether behavioral and emotional problems during childhood predicted early sexual debut, risky sex at age 21 years, and sexually transmitted infections up to age 21 years. Some possible mediational pathways were also explored.


METHODS
Participants were enrolled in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (n = 1,037), a prospective, longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort born in 1972-1973. Data obtained at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 21 years were used. Adjustment was made for gender, socioeconomic status, parenting factors, and residence changes.


RESULTS
High levels of antisocial behavior between age 5 and 11 years were associated with increased odds of early sexual debut (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.17, 95% confidence [CI] 1.34-3.54) and risky sex (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.04-3.40). No relationship was observed between hyperactivity and later sexual health outcomes. In contrast, high levels of anxiety were associated with reduced odds of risky sex (AOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.80) and sexually transmitted infections (AOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.70). Involvement with delinquent peers explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut and risky sex. A poor relationship with parents also explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings demonstrate links between behavioral and emotional problems occurring early in life and later deleterious sexual health outcomes. Targeting antisocial behavior and teaching accurate appraisals of danger during childhood may help mitigate these negative consequences.
Ramrakha
Sandhya
S
Ms. Ramrakha is with the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand; Drs. Bell, Paul, and Dickson are with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School; and Drs. Moffitt and Caspi are with the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and University of Wisconsin, Madison. Electronic address: Sandhya.Ramrakha@dmhdru.otago.ac.nz.
Bell
Melanie L
ML
Ms. Ramrakha is with the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand; Drs. Bell, Paul, and Dickson are with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School; and Drs. Moffitt and Caspi are with the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Paul
Charlotte
C
Ms. Ramrakha is with the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand; Drs. Bell, Paul, and Dickson are with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School; and Drs. Moffitt and Caspi are with the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Dickson
Nigel
N
Ms. Ramrakha is with the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand; Drs. Bell, Paul, and Dickson are with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School; and Drs. Moffitt and Caspi are with the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Moffitt
Terrie E
TE
Ms. Ramrakha is with the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand; Drs. Bell, Paul, and Dickson are with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School; and Drs. Moffitt and Caspi are with the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Caspi
Avshalom
A
Ms. Ramrakha is with the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand; Drs. Bell, Paul, and Dickson are with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School; and Drs. Moffitt and Caspi are with the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and University of Wisconsin, Madison.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior