title: A longitudinal analysis of predictors of male and female adolescents' transitions to intimate sexual behavior.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determining predictors of sexual transitions is essential for developing health interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adolescents (13-16 years) completed baseline and 6-month surveys assessing psychosocial factors and sexual behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower self-esteem for boys and higher lifetime alcohol use for girls predicted transitions to more intimate sex. These differential profiles may warrant tailored health initiatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick, Canada. sronis@unb.ca
authors.forename: Scott T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Ronis
authors.forename: Lucia F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009509:New Brunswick; D010379:Peer Group; D011627:Puberty; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data