title: Psychological Well-Being as a Predictor of Casual Sex Relationships and Experiences among Adolescents: A Short-Term Prospective Study.
abstract: Psychological characteristics may predispose youths to engage in casual sex relationships and experiences (CSREs). Using a prospective longitudinal design and in a subsample of 2601 high school students in the province of Québec, we explored possible shifts in engaging in one-night stands (ONSs) and friends with benefits (FWB) relationships over a 6-month period among sexually active adolescents. We also examined the relationships among well-being predictors (psychological distress, self-esteem, suicidal ideation, and alcohol and drug consumption) and these shifts while exploring possible gender differences. Multinomial regressions in Mplus were used to explore whether initial psychological well-being was related to entrance type, the transition from having no CSREs to having one, or discontinuation or continuation type. Frequent alcohol consumption (i.e., once or twice a week or more) for boys and frequent consumption of both alcohol and drugs for girls were associated with continuation of CSREs. Suicidal ideation was associated with entrance into FWB relationships as well as continuation of FWB relationships and ONSs for girls. Psychological distress was a predictor of discontinuation of ONSs for boys. These results suggested that interventions should consider the specific and common needs of both genders in regard to ONSs and FWB relationships.
authors.affiliation: École de psychologie, Université Laval, 2325 rue des Bibliothèques, Pavillon Félix-Antoine-Savard, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada. sophie.dube.3@ualval.ca.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dubé
authors.affiliation: École de psychologie, Université Laval, 2325 rue des Bibliothèques, Pavillon Félix-Antoine-Savard, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lavoie
authors.affiliation: Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blais
authors.affiliation: Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hébert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000067697:Adolescent Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011792:Quebec; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D000066608:Underage Drinking
keywords: Adolescents; Casual sex; Psychological well-being; Substance use