Protective and risk factors of early sexual initiation in youth subcultures

Abstract

Objectives To assess the association between subculture affiliation (Hip-hop, Techno-scene, Metal, Punk, Skinheads) and early sexual initiation, and whether gender, family affluence, peer influence, lack of parental bonding and lack of parental monitoring explain this association.

Methods We collected data on 15-year-old primary school pupils who participated in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children 2009/2010 study. The association of subculture affiliation with early sexual initiation was adjusted for gender, family affluence, peer influence, lack of parental bonding and lack of parental monitoring in five consecutive models using logistic regression.

Results Nearly 50% of the adolescents had a subculture affiliation. These youths were significantly more likely than other adolescents to have had sexual intercourse. Peer influence explained 49% of this association. Adding lack of parental bonding and lack of parental monitoring into the model weakened the association of subculture affiliation with early sexual initiation (20%), but this association remained statistically significant.

Conclusion Youth subculture affiliation is strongly correlated with early sexual initiation. This association is mediated for a large part by peer influence and defective parental monitoring and bonding. Health promotion regarding early sexual initiation should therefore in particular target adolescents under strong influence of peers and with weak parental relationships.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• Youth subcultures
• Early sexual initiation
• Parental monitoring
• Parental bonding
• Family affluence
• Peer influence
• Slovakia

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research was partially supported by the Research and Development Support Agency under Contract No. APVV-20-032-11, by the Agency of the Slovak Ministry of Education for the Structural Funds of the EU, and under project ITMS: 26220120058 (30%). This paper was also partially funded within the framework of the project ‘Social determinants of health in socially and physically disadvantaged and other groups of population’ (CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0063).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the paper.