Individual, Peer, and Family Variables Associated with Risky Sexual Behavior Among Male and Female Incarcerated Adolescents

Abstract This study examined individual, peer, and family variables associated with adolescent sexual risk behavior. Participants included 1008 adolescents (857 males and 151 females) incarcerated in Virginia juvenile correctional facilities. At the bivariate level, externalizing behaviors, social problems, perceived friend support, perceived family support, and family structure were significantly correlated (p < .10) with the lifetime number of sexual partners. After controlling age, multivariate analyses found that externalizing behaviors, social problems, perceptions of better family support, and family structure were significantly associated with the lifetime number of sexual partners for the full sample (p < .01) and males (p < .01). For females, externalizing behaviors and social problems were significantly associated with lifetime number of sexual partners (p < .01). These findings support the need to consider social influences on sexual risk-taking among adolescents. Intervention efforts aimed at reducing risk behavior among adolescents should be gender specific and focus on developing effective coping behaviors and bolstering social support, particularly within family systems.