Sexual Sensation Seeking, Drug Use and Risky Sex among Detained Youth

Dexter R Voisin

doi:10.4172/2155-6113.s1-017

Abstract

Sexual sensation seeking has been correlated with drug use and risky sex in a number of populations. However, these relationships have had limited examination among adolescents, and to date, have not been explored among detained youth, a group with some of the highest rates of illicit drug use and STIs. To better understand these relationships we utilized A-CASI to collect data on sociodemographics, sexual sensation seeking, drug use and risky sexual behaviors among a sample of 550 detained youth. A series of multivariable regression models controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status and risky peer networks indicated that sexual sensation seeking was associated with alcohol and ecstasy use. Additionally, sexual sensation seeking was associated with having sex while high on drugs; having sex with a partner who was high on drugs; exchanging sex for drugs; exchanging sex for money; having more sexual partners in the last two months; having engaged in unprotected vaginal sex; and a less condom use during oral sex. These data have important implications for STI/drug use prevention interventions among detained adolescents.

Highlights

In the United States (U.S.), the acquisition of STIs is a major cause of morbidity for adolescents [1]
This is the first study to examine the relationship between sensation seeking (SSS) and drug use and risky sex among detained youth
We examined these relationships using a broad spectrum of drug use and STI

Summary

Introduction

In the United States (U.S.), the acquisition of STIs is a major cause of morbidity for adolescents [1]. Rates of STIs (e.g., Gonorrhea) are 10 times higher among adolescent populations, detained for legal offences when compared to peers without such histories [2]. Risky behaviors such as inconsistent condom use, increased numbers of sex partners, sex while high on drugs, and sex with high-risk partners, are some of the behavioral factors associated with higher STI acquisition, which can have severe negative health and mental health sequelae for adolescents [1,3,4]. High rates of drug use contribute to risky sex and STI acquisition [3] and to engaging in transactional sex, which may represent one of the reasons why these youth may come to the attention of juvenile justice authorities [8]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion