If
a young woman’s first sexual experience involves alcohol, she is more
likely to be at risk for problems such as sexual assault, and this risk
may persist in her future, new research finds.
Disturbingly, nearly 20 percent of the young women in the alcohol-involved group reported their first intercourse experiences were without consent, or rape. Even more troubling, these young women were found to be three times more likely to be victims of incapacitated rape in the future.
Livingston says this study raises questions about how schools and parents approach talking about drinking and sex. “Traditionally, substance use prevention efforts and sexuality education aimed at middle and high school students have been approached separately,” Livingston says. “Results of this study suggest that it would be beneficial to combine the two. Alcohol-related risks should be addressed in sexuality education and sexual risks included in substance use prevention. Interventions aimed at delaying the initiation of alcohol use or reducing heavy drinking may have the added benefit of reducing risky sexual behavior.”
Co-authors of the study include Maria Testa, PhD, senior research scientist, RIA; Michael Windle, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University; and Laina Y. Bay-Cheng, PhD, associate professor, UB School of Social Work. The study appeared in the August issue of Journal of Adolescence and was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
The study, authored
by Jennifer A. Livingston, PhD, senior research scientist at the
University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions (RIA), surveyed
228 women, ages 18 to 20, about their sexual experiences and drinking
habits. The average age the women began drinking was 14 and the average
age for first sexual intercourse was 16.
Livingston found that
first sexual experiences involving alcohol were most likely to occur
outside the context of a relationship (a “hook-up”), with a partner who
was also using substances and after a social gathering involving
alcohol. Alcohol-involved first experiences were less planned, less
desired and rated more negatively overall than those not involving
alcohol, which usually occurred in the context of a romantic
relationship and were described as wanted, planned and more positive.
“Drinking
to intoxication places adolescent females at increased risk through
exposure to high-risk sexual partners found in drinking contexts such as
parties. These partners may be significantly older, more aggressive,
not well-known or substance users themselves,” Livingston says. “Over
time, these young women continued to use alcohol in conjunction with
sex, which further exposed them to high-risk partners. In these
contexts, there is less discussion of birth control and greater risk of
sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault and unintended pregnancy.”Disturbingly, nearly 20 percent of the young women in the alcohol-involved group reported their first intercourse experiences were without consent, or rape. Even more troubling, these young women were found to be three times more likely to be victims of incapacitated rape in the future.
Livingston says this study raises questions about how schools and parents approach talking about drinking and sex. “Traditionally, substance use prevention efforts and sexuality education aimed at middle and high school students have been approached separately,” Livingston says. “Results of this study suggest that it would be beneficial to combine the two. Alcohol-related risks should be addressed in sexuality education and sexual risks included in substance use prevention. Interventions aimed at delaying the initiation of alcohol use or reducing heavy drinking may have the added benefit of reducing risky sexual behavior.”
Co-authors of the study include Maria Testa, PhD, senior research scientist, RIA; Michael Windle, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University; and Laina Y. Bay-Cheng, PhD, associate professor, UB School of Social Work. The study appeared in the August issue of Journal of Adolescence and was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Read more at http://scienceblog.com/80701/alcohol-and-first-sexual-experience-risks-for-young-women/#DowQr4UWXML80VpK.99
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