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Early Sexual Initiation Is Associated with Suicide Attempts among Chinese Young People

Author

Listed:
  • Jianing Ren

    (Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Xinran Qi

    (Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    School of Nursing, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China)

  • Wenzhen Cao

    (School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China)

  • Zhicheng Wang

    (Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Research Center for Public Health, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Yueping Guo

    (School of Journalism and Communication, Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing 102488, China)

  • Junjian Gaoshan

    (Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK)

  • Xiao Liang

    (China Family Planning Association, Beijing 100035, China)

  • Kun Tang

    (Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association between early sexual initiation and suicide attempts (SAs) among Chinese young people. Our analysis included 9131 college students who had sexual experience from a national sample of 31 provincial administrative regions. Self-reported age at first intercourse was categorized as ≤15, 15–18, and ≥18 years, and the experience of SAs was recorded and analyzed. Compared with females whose sexual debut age was ≥18 years, those ≤15 years (defined as early sexual initiation) had higher odds of SAs in both the forced debut group (odds ratio (OR) 17.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.87–59.66) and the voluntary debut group (OR 37.63, 95% CI 14.96–94.66). Early sexual initiators who lived in rural areas were more inclined to have SAs (female: OR 65.76, 95% CI 19.80–218.42; male: OR 15.39, 95% CI 1.64–144.19). Early sexual initiators who never had parent–child communication about sex were more likely to report having SAs (female: OR 37.81, 95% CI 12.28–116.46). Sexual debut during adolescence, particularly early sexual initiation, was a crucial risk factor for SAs among both sexes. Comprehensive sexuality education and smooth parental communication about sex will provide a supportive environment for young people and hence reduce the potential risks of SAs.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianing Ren & Xinran Qi & Wenzhen Cao & Zhicheng Wang & Yueping Guo & Junjian Gaoshan & Xiao Liang & Kun Tang, 2022. "Early Sexual Initiation Is Associated with Suicide Attempts among Chinese Young People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:3966-:d:780454
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Hyunlye Kim & Kwang-Hi Park & Suin Park, 2021. "Gender Differences in Sexual Behaviors and Their Relevance to Mental Health among High School Students with Sexual Experience in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-10, October.
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    4. Koenig, Michael A. & Lutalo, Tom & Zhao, Feng & Nalugoda, Fred & Kiwanuka, Noah & Wabwire-Mangen, Fred & Kigozi, Godfrey & Sewankambo, Nelson & Wagman, Jennifer & Serwadda, David & Wawer, Maria & Gray, 2004. "Coercive sex in rural Uganda: Prevalence and associated risk factors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(4), pages 787-798, February.
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