One recommendation for future research would include considering estimation of a mediation model of relationships among family circumstances, early sexual debut and STD incidence. Another suggestion for future research would be to include questions relating to other sexual risk behaviors in the analysis. Other variables that could be of interest include the age of initiation of other types of sexual behaviors, birth control use/adherence, number of partners, and sexual concurrency. Sexual concurrency is highly associated with risky decision-making and
with STD incidence (Maughan-Brown, 2012) and could go to explain some of the associations
that were presented in this research. 5.5 Conclusion
The results of this study indicated that not only is sexual debut associated with STD incidence, but family circumstances are also associated with STD incidence and early sexual debut. Adolescents’ interactions with the mother figure variable appears to be a particular important factor in affecting adolescent behaviors associated with early sexual debut. Public health intervention programs that address adverse health consequences of early sexual debut among adolescents would be beneficial. Programs should consider familial structure among
36
adolescents, particularly male adolescents, as a factor in modifying an adolescent’s likelihood to engage in sexual risk behaviors and risk of subsequent STD.
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