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Stockfleth E, Revol O. Encouraging sun protection early in life: from a successful prevention programme in children to the identification of psychological barriers in adolescents. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36 Suppl 6:12-21. [PMID: 35738808 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Children and adolescents have high rates of sunburn and high levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and are therefore at risk of developing skin cancer in later life. Minimizing UVR exposure in childhood and adolescence may be the most important component of skin cancer prevention efforts. Thus, age-adapted prevention campaigns, targeting children, adolescents and caregivers, are needed to change sun protection behaviour among individuals in these age groups. In the first part of this review, we describe the 'SunPass' programme, which was initiated in Germany in 2010 as the first nationwide educational intervention for sun safety designed to teach kindergarten children and their caregivers how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun. Implemented in 55 kindergartens, this programme has been shown to be effective at improving sun protection behaviour (P < 0.001) and hat use (P = 0.029) among kindergarten children, as well as at improving shade practices and increasing demand for protective clothing (P < 0.001). Up to 40 000 children, 50 000 parents/grandparents and 2500 kindergarten caregivers took part in the SunPass programme in Germany from 2019 to June 2021. The programme has also been adapted and implemented in several other European countries and could be readily adapted for use elsewhere. In the second part of this review, we discuss the specific challenges faced by adolescents and consider how these issues may impact their sun protection behaviour. Adolescents have difficulties suppressing responses to reward-related cues and projecting themselves into the future. They also place a lot of importance on social acceptance and cosmetic appearance, and their higher risk of depression, addiction and impulsivity make them vulnerable to tanning addiction. These specificities need to be acknowledged by dermatologists, so they can adapt their therapeutic relationship and develop effective sun protection interventions for this generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Stockfleth
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Gudrunstrasse 52, Bochum, Germany
| | - O Revol
- Child Development Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
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Kumar R, Mehrotra S, Michael RJ, Banu H, Sudhir PM, Sharma MK. Risky Riding and Its Correlates in Two-Wheeler Riding Young Men: Pillion Riders' Perspective. Indian J Community Med 2020; 45:328-332. [PMID: 33354013 PMCID: PMC7745793 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_357_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Risky riding is one of the major contributing factors in road fatalities. The present study aimed to explore the risky riding behaviors and its correlates in two-wheeler riding young men, as ascertained from pillion riders' perspective. Materials and Methods A survey that captured perspective of pillion riders about two-wheeler riding young men with whom they used to pillion ride most frequently was administered on 115 subjects. The survey consisted of items pertaining to risky riding, perceived impact of negative emotion on riding, expression of negative emotion on roads in response to frustrating situations, road traffic accidents, and pillions' strategies to reduce anger/stress in their two-wheeler riders. Results Two-wheeler riders who comprised young men were categorized into two groups: (i) high-risk riding group (n = 54 [48%]) and (ii) low-risk riding group (n = 61 [52%]) based on the subjective report of risky riding behaviors by their pillion riders. The results showed that negative emotions were perceived to have adverse influence on riding in persons with high-risky riding. Pillion riders reported that two-wheeler riding young men with high-risky riding expressed more aggressive behaviors (verbal and nonverbal) while riding in response to frustrating situations and also experienced near misses and minor accidents more frequently than their counterparts. Pillion riders reported utilizing various strategies to regulate emotions and behaviors of two-wheeler riders. Conclusions The present study highlights assessing risky riding and their correlates from pillion riders' perspective and strengthening their positive influence on two-wheeler riding. It has significant implications in minimizing risky behaviors on roads and enhancing road safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Seema Mehrotra
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajeev J Michael
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Humera Banu
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Paulomi M Sudhir
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Manoj K Sharma
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Poon K. Evaluating dual‐process theory of decision‐making in Chinese delinquent adolescents. AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGIST 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ap.12417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kean Poon
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,
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Mercurio E, García-López E, Morales-Quintero LA, Llamas NE, Marinaro JÁ, Muñoz JM. Adolescent Brain Development and Progressive Legal Responsibility in the Latin American Context. Front Psychol 2020; 11:627. [PMID: 32390899 PMCID: PMC7194023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article, we analyze the contributions of neuroscience to the development of the adolescent brain and shed additional light on the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the context of Latin America. In neurobiology, maturity is perceived to be complex because the brain's temporal development process is not uniform across all its regions. This has important consequences for adolescents' behavior; in their search for the acceptance of their peers, they are more vulnerable to pressure and more sensitive to stress than adults. Their affectivity is more unstable, and they show signs of low tolerance to frustration and important emotional reactivity, with a decrease in the capacity to self-regulate. Consequently, risky behavior presents itself more frequently during adolescence, and behaviors that transgress norms and social conventions typically peak between the ages of 17 and 19 years. However, only a small percentage of young offenders escalate their behavior to committing crimes during adulthood. In comparative law, there are considerable differences in Latin American countries' legal dispositions regarding the minimum age of criminal responsibility; Brazil, Costa Rica, and Ecuador regard the age of criminal responsibility to be 12 years, while Argentina accepts this to be 16 years. From a legal viewpoint, however, the debate about the minimum age of criminal responsibility is connected to other circumstances that, because they are still at a developmental stage, are attributed to adolescents' rights in their decision-making and understanding of autonomy (e.g., the minimum ages for voting, alcohol consumption, and medical consent). We argue that research on the development of the adolescent brain does not provide definitive answers about the exact age required for different juridical purposes. Nonetheless, the current state of knowledge does allow for reflection on the development and maturation of adolescents and the implications for considering them criminally responsible. It also validates demands for a system that provides adolescents with greater protection and that favors their healthy integral development. In any case, although a specific minimum age is not evident, this study is disposed not to recommend lowering the age of criminal responsibility, but rather increasing it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezequiel Mercurio
- Center of Interdisciplinary Forensic Research, Buenos Aires National Academy of Sciences, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Luz Anyela Morales-Quintero
- Criminology Program, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, Benemérita Autonomous University of Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Nicolás E. Llamas
- Department of Law and Political Science, National University of La Matanza, San Justo, Argentina
| | - José Ángel Marinaro
- Department of Law and Political Science, National University of La Matanza, San Justo, Argentina
| | - José M. Muñoz
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Cabeza L, Giustiniani J, Chabin T, Ramadan B, Joucla C, Nicolier M, Pazart L, Haffen E, Fellmann D, Gabriel D, Peterschmitt Y. Modelling decision-making under uncertainty: A direct comparison study between human and mouse gambling data. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 31:58-68. [PMID: 31837913 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Decision-making is a conserved evolutionary process enabling us to choose one option among several alternatives, and relies on reward and cognitive control systems. The Iowa Gambling Task allows the assessment of human decision-making under uncertainty by presenting four card decks with various cost-benefit probabilities. Participants seek to maximise their monetary gain by developing long-term optimal-choice strategies. Animal versions have been adapted with nutritional rewards, but interspecies data comparisons are scarce. Our study directly compares the non-pathological decision-making performance between humans and wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Human participants completed an electronic Iowa Gambling Task version, while mice a maze-based adaptation with four arms baited in a probabilistic way. Our data shows closely matching performance between both species with similar patterns of choice behaviours. However, mice showed a faster learning rate than humans. Moreover, both populations were clustered into good, intermediate and poor decision-making categories with similar proportions. Remarkably, mice characterised as good decision-makers behaved the same as humans of the same category, but slight differences among species are evident for the other two subpopulations. Overall, our direct comparative study confirms the good face validity of the rodent gambling task. Extended behavioural characterisation and pathological animal models should help strengthen its construct validity and disentangle the determinants in animals and humans decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Cabeza
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France
| | - Julie Giustiniani
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France; Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital, Besançon, France; CIC-1431 Inserm, University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Thibault Chabin
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France
| | - Bahrie Ramadan
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France
| | - Coralie Joucla
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France
| | - Magali Nicolier
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France; Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital, Besançon, France; CIC-1431 Inserm, University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Lionel Pazart
- CIC-1431 Inserm, University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Emmanuel Haffen
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France; Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital, Besançon, France; CIC-1431 Inserm, University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Dominique Fellmann
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France
| | - Damien Gabriel
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France; CIC-1431 Inserm, University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Yvan Peterschmitt
- EA-481 Laboratoire de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cliniques de Besançon, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, France.
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Arbel R, Perrone L, Margolin G. Adolescents' Daily Worries and Risky Behaviors: The Buffering Role of Support Seeking. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL FOR THE SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY, AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, DIVISION 53 2018; 47:900-911. [PMID: 27379707 PMCID: PMC6193855 DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2016.1169536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
With worries and risky behaviors becoming more prominent in adolescence, this study investigated bidirectional temporal connections between these two important adolescent concerns, that is, whether change in one concern is linked to change in the other either within the same day or during the next day. We also tested whether the coping strategy of seeking support from family and friends moderated the link between worries and risky behaviors. For 10 days, an ethnically and racially diverse sample of adolescents (N = 103; M age = 18.0) reported on 26 common worries, 18 risky behaviors, and the impact of seeking support from others. Multilevel models showed that worries and risky behaviors covaried on the same day and that worries predicted next-day risky behavior for male but not female participants. In contrast, risky behaviors did not predict next-day worries. For adolescents reporting negative experiences of support seeking, worries led to next-day risky behaviors and risky behaviors led to next-day worries. Female adolescents' positive support-seeking experiences buffered the association between risky behaviors and next-day worries. These results were significant beyond any influence of daily negative mood or depressive and anxiety symptoms. The data demonstrate that worries and risky behaviors may be situational triggers for each other and highlight the importance, from intervention perspectives, of adolescents' communication of concerns to others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reout Arbel
- a Department of Psychology , University of Southern California
| | - Laura Perrone
- a Department of Psychology , University of Southern California
| | - Gayla Margolin
- a Department of Psychology , University of Southern California
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Abstract
There has been a secular decline in age at menarche since the 19th century. Early-maturing women are more likely to have their sexual debut at a younger age, which in turn gives rise to a host of reproductive health and social problems. This study used data from five waves of National Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in the Philippines between 1993 and 2013 to examine the trends and socioeconomic differentials in age at menarche and sexual debut. The changing trend in age at menarche and sexual debut was examined across birth cohorts, and logistic regressions were used to identify the determinants of early sexual debut. In the Philippines, the mean and median ages at menarche declined from 13.2 years and 12.6 years, respectively, among young women born in 1973-1977, to 12.9 years and 12.3 years, respectively, among those born in 1993-1997. The proportion who had their sexual debut by age 20 increased from 41.2% for the 1968-1972 birth cohort to 53.4% for the 1988-1992 birth cohort. Filipino women with low education, from poor families and living in rural areas were more likely to have earlier sexual debut despite attaining menarche at a later age as compared with their higher educated counterparts, and those from wealthier families and urban areas. Logistic regression analysis showed that, besides marital status, women's education and age at menarche were important determinants of early sexual debut. However, ethnicity, place of residence and family wealth had no significant effects on age at menarche. An increasing proportion of young women were found to be having unprotected sexual debut and at a younger age, with health and social ramifications. Hence, apart from increasing the enrolment of girls in schools and discouraging teenage marriage, there is a need for social and health agencies to implement appropriate adolescent sexual and reproductive health programmes such as counselling and educational campaigns, as well as support services, to address sexual problems among the youth.
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Gicquel L, Ordonneau P, Blot E, Toillon C, Ingrand P, Romo L. Description of Various Factors Contributing to Traffic Accidents in Youth and Measures Proposed to Alleviate Recurrence. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:94. [PMID: 28620324 PMCID: PMC5451498 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Traffic accidents are the leading cause of hospitalization in adolescence, with the 18-24-year-old age group accounting for 23% of deaths by traffic accidents. Recurrence rate is also high. One in four teenagers will have a relapse within the year following the first accident. Cognitive impairments known in adolescence could cause risky behaviors, defined as repetitive engagement in dangerous situations such as road accidents. Two categories of factors seem to be associated with traffic accidents: (1) factors specific to the traffic environment and (2) "human" factors, which seem to be the most influential. Moreover, the establishment of a stronger relation to high speed driving increases traffic accident risks and can also be intensified by sensation seeking. Other factors such as substance use (alcohol, drugs, and "binge drinking") are also identified as risk factors. Furthermore, cell phone use while driving and attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity also seem to be important risk factors for car accidents. The family environment strongly influences a young person's driving behavior. Some interventional driving strategies and preventive measures have reduced the risk of traffic accidents among young people, such as the graduated driver licensing program and advertising campaigns. So far, few therapeutic approaches have been implemented. Reason why, we decided to set up an innovative strategy consisting of a therapeutic postaccident group intervention, entitled the ECARR2 protocol, to prevent recurrence among adolescents and young adults identified at risk, taking into account the multiple risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Gicquel
- University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Research Unit, Henri Laborit Hospital Center, Poitiers University, Poitiers, France
| | - Pauline Ordonneau
- University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Research Unit, Henri Laborit Hospital Center, Poitiers University, Poitiers, France
| | - Emilie Blot
- University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Research Unit, Henri Laborit Hospital Center, Poitiers University, Poitiers, France
| | - Charlotte Toillon
- University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Research Unit, Henri Laborit Hospital Center, Poitiers University, Poitiers, France
| | - Pierre Ingrand
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Biostatistics Department, Poitiers University, Poitiers, France
| | - Lucia Romo
- EA 4430 Paris Ouest Nanterre la Défense University, Nanterre, France.,Sainte Anne Hospital Center, INSERM Unit U-894, Paris, France
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Habib M, Cassotti M. Le temps des regrets : comment le développement du regret influence-t-il la prise de décision à risque des enfants et des adolescents ? ANNEE PSYCHOLOGIQUE 2015. [DOI: 10.3917/anpsy.154.0637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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10
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Le temps des regrets : comment le développement du regret influence-t-il la prise de décision à risque des enfants et des adolescents ? ANNEE PSYCHOLOGIQUE 2015. [DOI: 10.4074/s0003503315000214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Palermo MT, Bogaerts S. Sex Selling and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Impaired Capacity, Free Enterprise, or Sexual Victimization? JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/15228932.2015.1053557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Marek E, Berenyi K, Dergez T, Kiss I, D'Cruz G. Influence of risk-taking health behaviours of adolescents on cervical cancer prevention: a Hungarian survey. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2015; 25:57-68. [PMID: 26059166 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among the Hungarian adolescents to establish their use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs in relation to sexual behaviours, knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, and beliefs and attitudes towards screening and vaccination. Results indicated that adolescent risk-taking health behaviours correlate with risky sexual behaviours. As risk-taking behaviours do not correlate with a better awareness of the risk associated with HPV infection, it is of crucial importance that HPV/cervical cancer preventing educational programmes shall be sensitive to this 'vulnerable' population and draw the attention of these adolescents to their increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases and undesired pregnancies. Well-designed behavioural change interventions may be effective when in addition to providing adolescents (both men and women) with clear information about the implications of an HPV infection, they also aim to improve safer sex behaviours: consistent condom usage, limiting the number of sex partners, as well as encouraging regular participation in gynaecological screenings and uptake of the HPV vaccine. As this study population demonstrated positive attitudes towards the primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer, the free HPV vaccination for the 12-13-year-old girls in Autumn 2014 will hopefully increase the currently low uptake of the vaccine in Hungary.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Marek
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - K Berenyi
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - T Dergez
- Institute of Bioanalysis, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - I Kiss
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - G D'Cruz
- School of Nursing Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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[Age of puberty and western young women sexuality]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 43:158-62. [PMID: 25618536 DOI: 10.1016/j.gyobfe.2014.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The onset of menarche and age of first sexual experience have both lowered over the past century. Does the age of puberty influence the sexuality of the girl/young occidental woman? If so, to what degree? Besides, is the acquisition of reproductive function, regardless of age, a sign of sufficient maturity to engage in sexual activity? Studies show that early puberty, early sex, unprotected sexual intercourse in adolescence and number of sexual partners in early adulthood are closely related. These early sexual experiences could be stimulated by early drug use as well as by depressive disorders. The age of puberty has a real influence on sexuality but this link will be modulated by a number of social behavioral factors and it is not sustainable. The age of puberty is not a good indicator of maturity for teenage sexuality; early maturation and early sexual activity are usually associated with risky behaviors. However, other studies on the subject are required, including a consideration of the issues associated with delayed puberty, a subject virtually absent from the literature.
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De Genna NM, Larkby C, Cornelius MD. Pubertal timing and early sexual intercourse in the offspring of teenage mothers. J Youth Adolesc 2011; 40:1315-28. [PMID: 21279428 PMCID: PMC3117920 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-010-9609-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Early puberty is associated with stressful family environments, early sexual intercourse, and teenage pregnancy. We examined pubertal timing and sexual debut among the 14-year-old offspring of teenage mothers. Mothers (71% Black, 29% White) were recruited as pregnant teenagers (12-18 years old). Data were collected during pregnancy and when offspring were 6, 10 and 14 years old (n = 318). Adolescents (50% male) compared the timing of their pubertal maturation to same-sex peers. There was a significant 3-way interaction effect of race, sex, and pubertal timing on sexual debut (n = 305). This effect remained significant in a model controlling for maternal age at first intercourse, substance use, exposure to trauma, authoritative parenting, and peer sexual activity (n = 255). Early maturation was associated with early sex in daughters, and may be one pathway for the inter-generational transfer of risk for teenage pregnancy among daughters of teenage mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha M. De Genna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Program in Epidemiology, Suite 138, Webster Hall, 4415 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Cynthia Larkby
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA, ; Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Marie D. Cornelius
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA, ; Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
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