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The Journal of Early Adolescence, Vol. 26, No. 1, 87-109 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0272431605282653
© 2006 SAGE Publications

Heterosexual Risk Behaviors Among Urban Young Adolescents

Lydia O’Donnell

Education Development Center, Inc., lodonnell{at}edc.org

Ann Stueve

Education Development Center, Inc.

Renée Wilson-Simmons

Education Development Center, Inc.

Kim Dash

Education Development Center, Inc.

Gail Agronick

Education Development Center, Inc.

Varzi JeanBaptiste

Education Development Center, Inc.

Urban 6th graders (n = 294) participate in a survey assessing early heterosexual risk behaviors as part of the Reach for Health Middle Childhood Study. About half the boys (47%) and 20% of girls report having a girlfriend or boyfriend; 42% of boys and 10% of girls report kissing and hugging for a long time. Stepwise regressions model the relationships between heterosexual behaviors and gender, background characteristics, and parenting practices and peer influences. In the final model, being male, parental approval of having a girlfriend or a boyfriend, lower parental oversight of activities, having older or mixed-aged peers, and expressing peer norms supporting sexual behaviors are significant risk factors of heterosexual behaviors. Findings indicate the importance of parenting practices and peer influences on early sexual behaviors and inform strategies for helping urban young adolescents delay sexual initiation.

Key Words: early adolescence • sexual initiation • adolescent health • minority health


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