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Does early adolescent sex cause depressive symptoms?

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  • Joseph J. Sabia

    (University of Georgia)

Abstract

A recent study by the Heritage Foundation (Rector, Johnson, & Noyes, 2003) found evidence of a positive relationship between early sexual intercourse and depressive symptoms. This finding has been used to bolster support for funding abstinenceonly sex education. However, promoting abstinence will only yield mental health benefits if there is a causal link between sexual intercourse and depression. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), I carefully examine the relationship between early teen sex and several measures of depression. Controlling for a wide set of individuallevel and familylevel observable characteristics, crosssection estimates consistently show a significant positive relationship between early sexual activity for females and three measures of adverse mental health: selfreported depression, a belief that one's life is not worth living, and serious thoughts of suicide. However, differenceindifference estimates reflect no evidence of a significant relationship between early teen sex and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that the positive association observed by Rector et al. (2003) can be explained by unmeasured heterogeneity. Thus, promoting abstinence among adolescents is unlikely to alleviate depressive symptoms.© 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph J. Sabia, 2006. "Does early adolescent sex cause depressive symptoms?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(4), pages 803-825.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:25:y:2006:i:4:p:803-825
    DOI: 10.1002/pam.20209
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joseph J. Sabia, 2006. "Does sex education affect adolescent sexual behaviors and health?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(4), pages 783-802.
    2. Darren Sherkat & Mark Reed, 1992. "The effects of religion and social support on self-esteem and depression among the suddenly bereaved," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 259-275, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hande Inanc & Alicia Meckstroth & Betsy Keating & Katie Adamek & Heather Zaveri & So O’Neil & Kim McDonald & Lindsay Ochoa, "undated". "Factors Influencing Youth Sexual Activity: Conceptual Models for Sexual Risk Avoidance and Cessation," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 50fc4ce6f652418495bb2ba7f, Mathematica Policy Research.
    2. Jake J. Hays & Kammi K. Schmeer, 2020. "Age at first sex and adult mental health in Nicaragua," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 43(44), pages 1297-1334.
    3. Sabia, Joseph J. & Rees, Daniel I., 2008. "The effect of adolescent virginity status on psychological well-being," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(5), pages 1368-1381, September.
    4. Philip Baiden & Lisa S. Panisch & Yi Jin Kim & Catherine A. LaBrenz & Yeonwoo Kim & Henry K. Onyeaka, 2021. "Association between First Sexual Intercourse and Sexual Violence Victimization, Symptoms of Depression, and Suicidal Behaviors among Adolescents in the United States: Findings from 2017 and 2019 Natio," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, July.
    5. Katie Adamek & Alicia Meckstroth & Hande Inanc & Lindsay Ochoa & So O'Neil & Kim McDonald & Heather Zaveri, "undated". "Conceptual Models to Depict the Factors that Influence the Avoidance and Cessation of Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Youth," Mathematica Policy Research Reports bbc3741c9fbe4963b6e053933, Mathematica Policy Research.
    6. Hyunkyu Kim & Wonjeong Jeong & Sungin Jang & Youseok Kim & Euncheol Park, 2021. "Association between Sexual Behavior and Depression in South Korean Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
    7. Dana Rotz & Brian Goesling & Nicholas Redel & Menbere Shiferaw & Claire Smither-Wulsin, "undated". "Assessing the Benefits of Delayed Sexual Activity: A Synthesis of the Literature," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 16a96ac7ac69493eaeb7edba2, Mathematica Policy Research.
    8. Joseph J. Sabia, 2007. "Reading, Writing, And Sex: The Effect Of Losing Virginity On Academic Performance," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 45(4), pages 647-670, October.

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