Abstract
Objective: To study whether behavioural and emotional problems during childhood predicted early sexual debut, risky sex at age 21 and sexually transmitted infections (STls) up to 21 years. Some possible mediational pathways were also explored.
Method: Participants were enrolled in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, a prospective, longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort born in 1972-73. Data obtained at ages 5,7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 21 years were used.
Results: High levels of antisocial behaviour between age 5 and 11 years were associated with increased odds of early sexual debut (AOR (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.34 - 3.54) and risky sex (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.04 - 3.40). No relation 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 STIs (AOR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17 - 0.70). Involvement with delinquent peers partially mediated the association between antisocial behaviour and early sexual debut and risky sex, reducing the odds by 25% and 19% respectively. Lack of attachment to parents also partially mediated the association between antisocial behaviour and early sexual debut, reducing the odds by 9%.
Conclusions: The findings demonstrate links between behavioural and emotional problems occurring very early in life and later deleterious sexual health outcomes. Targeting antisocial behaviour and possibly low anxiety during childhood may help mitigate these negative consequences.