Adolescent Sexual Risk-Taking: Distinguishing the Influences of Adolescent and Parental Alcohol Involvement

Knowledge of adolescent sexual risk-taking is ever changing, due in part to emerging trends which often contradict what we already know. Nonetheless, the ongoing threats of STIs, unplanned pregnancies, and the normal developmental challenges of puberty, relationships and sexual identities suggests that a better understanding of adolescent sexual risk-taking is imperative. To advance this effort a conceptualization of adolescent sexual risk-taking should go beyond sex itself, to include adolescent dating behaviors and sexual attitudes. However, as much as alcohol is a known factor in adolescent risk-taking, it is unclear whether mothers alcohol involvement plays any role in such behavior. Hence, this study distinguishes the influences of adolescent dating behaviors, sexual attitudes and sexual behaviors, within the context of adolescent and mothers? alcohol involvement. Optimistically, findings will inform future efforts to diminish negative outcomes associated with adolescent sexual risk-taking, while promoting health-enhancing behaviors.