Age of Sexual Debut and Cannabis Use in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding the interrelationships between risky health behaviors is critical for health promotion efforts. Conceptual frameworks for understanding substance misuse (e.g. stepping-stone models) have not yet widely incorporated other risky behaviors, including those related to sexual health.

Objectives

The goals of this study were to assess the relationship between early sexual debut and cannabis use, examine the role of licit substance use in this association, and evaluate differences by gender and race/ethnicity.

Methods

Data came from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R). Primary analysis was restricted to respondents who reported sexual debut at ≥12 years (n = 5,036). Age at sexual debut was categorized as early (<18 years), average (18

SUBMITTER: Cha S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4852689 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature