University of Rhode Island, Auburn University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, United States.
University of Rhode Island, Auburn University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, United States.
J Adolesc. 2020 Oct;84:136-148. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.08.010. Epub 2020 Sep 9.
Although sexual exploration during adolescence may be perceived as normative, many adolescents who are sexually active are likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors detrimental to their well-being. The present study examined the influence of insecure attachment (anxious and avoidant dimensions), healthy sex attitudes, and constraining relationship beliefs on the following sexual risk indicators: age at first sex, number of sexual partners, condom use, length of time knowing sexual partners, seriousness of relationship, and frequency of sex.
Cross-sectional data from two cohorts recruited one year apart for a five-year project were analyzed. Adolescents were public high school students from a Southern state in the USA (cohort 1: N = 878, 51.1% females, M = 16.50 years old; cohort 2: N = 759, 46.9% females, M = 15.78 years old).
Across both cohorts, healthy sex attitudes were related to having sex for the first time at an older age, having less sexual partners in a lifetime, and knowing one's sexual partner longer. High scores on the avoidant attachment dimension were related to less commitment to the relationship. This dimension also was related to holding lower scores on healthy sex attitudes, which in turn was related to having more sexual partners and knowing one's sexual partner for a shorter time. Although not replicated, higher endorsement of constraining relationship beliefs was associated with inconsistent condom use and greater sex frequency.
Findings suggests that attachment insecurity, healthy sex attitudes, and constraining relationship beliefs work together to influence adolescent sexual risks.
尽管青少年时期的性探索可能被认为是正常的，但许多有性行为的青少年可能会从事对他们的健康有害的危险性行为。本研究考察了不安全依恋（焦虑和回避维度）、健康的性态度以及约束性关系信念对以下性风险指标的影响：首次性行为的年龄、性伴侣的数量、避孕套的使用、了解性伴侣的时间长短、关系的严肃程度和性行为的频率。
对一项为期五年的项目中相隔一年招募的两个队列的横断面数据进行了分析。青少年是来自美国南部一个州的公立高中学生（队列 1：N=878，女性占 51.1%，M=16.50 岁；队列 2：N=759，女性占 46.9%，M=15.78 岁）。
在两个队列中，健康的性态度与首次性行为年龄较大、一生中性伴侣较少以及了解性伴侣时间较长有关。回避依恋维度的高分与对关系的承诺较低有关。该维度还与对健康性态度的评分较低有关，而健康性态度的评分较低又与性伴侣较多和了解性伴侣的时间较短有关。虽然没有得到复制，但更高的约束性关系信念的支持与避孕套使用不一致和性行为频率更高有关。
研究结果表明，依恋不安全感、健康的性态度和约束性关系信念共同影响青少年的性风险。
