Longitudinal Associations Between Early Noncoital Sexual and Romantic Behaviors and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms.

IF 3.2 2区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL

Journal of Adolescence Pub Date : 2025-08-28 DOI:10.1002/jad.70039

Sara A Vasilenko, Kirstin L Clear, Liliana Germain, Linghua Jiang, Xiafei Wang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Research has linked early intercourse and romantic relationships to increased depressive symptoms, especially for female adolescents. However, less is known about the ways in which early noncoital sexual behaviors are associated with mental health. Thus, this study examined whether early kissing, sexual touching, and romantic relationships were associated with depressive symptoms, and whether these associations differed for male, female, and nonbinary adolescents.

Methods: Data were from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study (N = 11,868; 48.4% male, 45.6% female; 6.0% nonbinary). Regression analyses assessed whether adolescents who engaged in kissing, touching, and had a romantic relationship at Y2 (11-12) had higher depressive symptoms at Y3 (12-13), controlling for prior depressive symptoms.

Results: Kissing and touching, but not having a romantic relationship, were associated with an increase in depressive symptoms. The association for touching was stronger for nonbinary compared with male adolescents.

Conclusions: Early noncoital sexual behaviors, but not romantic relationships, are associated with an increase in depressive symptoms for adolescents of all genders, with stronger associations for nonbinary adolescents. Findings suggest the importance of focusing on noncoital behaviors in sexuality education programs and providing supports for nonbinary adolescents.

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早期非性交性行为和浪漫行为与青少年抑郁症状的纵向关联

导言：研究表明，早期的性行为和恋爱关系与抑郁症状的增加有关，尤其是对女性青少年而言。然而，人们对早期非性交性行为与心理健康之间的关系知之甚少。因此，这项研究调查了早期接吻、性接触和恋爱关系是否与抑郁症状有关，以及这些联系在男性、女性和非二元青少年中是否有所不同。方法：数据来自青少年大脑和认知发展研究（N = 11,868，男性48.4%，女性45.6%，非二元性别6.0%）。回归分析评估了在2年级（11-12年级）有过亲吻、抚摸和恋爱关系的青少年在3年级（12-13年级）是否有更高的抑郁症状，控制了之前的抑郁症状。结果：接吻和触摸，但没有恋爱关系，与抑郁症状的增加有关。与男性青少年相比，非二元性别青少年接触的关联更强。结论：早期的非性交性行为，而非恋爱关系，与所有性别青少年抑郁症状的增加有关，与非二元性青少年的关联更强。研究结果表明，在性教育项目中关注非性行为和为非二元性青少年提供支持的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Adolescence PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL-

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

2.60%

发文量

123

期刊介绍： The Journal of Adolescence is an international, broad based, cross-disciplinary journal that addresses issues of professional and academic importance concerning development between puberty and the attainment of adult status within society. It provides a forum for all who are concerned with the nature of adolescence, whether involved in teaching, research, guidance, counseling, treatment, or other services. The aim of the journal is to encourage research and foster good practice through publishing both empirical and clinical studies as well as integrative reviews and theoretical advances.