Intergenerational Associations Between Parental Incarceration and Children's Sexual Risk Taking in Young Adulthood

Abstract

PurposeResearch on parental incarceration and the health of offspring is relatively scarce despite studies linking childhood adverse experiences to a range of physical and mental health conditions. This study aimed to estimate the associations between parental incarceration and sexual risk outcomes (early sexual onset, inconsistent condom use, and sexually transmitted infections [STIs]) in young adulthood. MethodsWe used logistic regression to estimate associations of sexual risk taking behaviors with parental incarceration during childhood in a sample of 3,972 participants in The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) between 2001 and 2009. ResultsParental incarceration was associated with early sexual onset (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–2.03) and STIs (AOR =2.0, 95% CI = 1.3–3.2). Maternal incarceration was associated with increased odds of early sexual onset (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.9–6.7), inconsistent condom use (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.3–8.9), and STIs (AOR = 5.5, 95% CI = 1.7–17.6). Additionally, paternal incarceration and parental incarceration occurring before age 10 were associated with STIs (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1–2.8; AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1–3.7). ConclusionsParental incarceration, especially maternal imprisonment, is associated with risky sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections in young adults in the United States. Intervening during or prior to the adolescent developmental period may ameliorate risky sexual behaviors and related health outcomes among children of incarceration parents.