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Sexual Experiences of Adolescents with Low Cognitive Abilities in the U.S
- Source :
- Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. 17:155-172
- Publication Year :
- 2005
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2005.
-
Abstract
- This study explores differences in sexual behaviors between adolescents with low and with average cognitive abilities in the U.S. Using data from Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we identified 422 respondents who had low cognitive abilities. Logistic and multinomial logistic regression methods were used to compare their experiences of romantic attraction, coital sex, contraceptive use, STDs, and pregnancy with those of respondents who were mentally average. Results show that adolescents with low cognitive abilities had fewer experiences of romantic attraction and coital sex. Given romantic-attraction experience, these boys had higher odds for same-sex (vs. opposite-sex) attraction compared with average boys. Among non-virgins, mentally disadvantaged adolescents were less likely to use contraceptives and had higher risks of STDs and pregnancy. More attention is needed to guide and protect them in their sexual understanding and development.
- Subjects :
- Longitudinal study
education.field_of_study
media_common.quotation_subject
Population
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Cognition
Birth control
Developmental psychology
Sexual intercourse
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Personality
Psychology
education
Adolescent health
media_common
Multinomial logistic regression
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15733580 and 1056263X
- Volume :
- 17
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........86f2675de61296d40474edeea49a3a8e