Body Image and First Sexual Intercourse in Late Adolescence

Overview

Journal J Adolesc

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2010 May 22

PMID 20488512

Citations 10

Authors

Sara A Vasilenko

Nilam Ram

Eva S Lefkowitz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Sexual behavior is associated with body image, but the directionality of this association is unclear. This study used longitudinal data from a sample of previously abstinent college students (N = 100, 45% female, 49% European American, 26% Latino American, 25% African American) to test whether satisfaction with appearance changed after first intercourse. Male students were more satisfied with their appearance after first intercourse, whereas female students became slightly less satisfied with their appearance. These findings demonstrate that first intercourse can lead to changes in well-being, even if the transition takes places in late adolescence. In addition, they suggest that gendered cultural expectations regarding sexual behavior are associated with differing psychological outcomes for male and female adolescents.

Citing Articles

Changes in psychological distress after first vaginal intercourse in late adolescence.

Vasilenko S, Lefkowitz E, Maggs J J Adolesc. 2021; 89:213-216.

PMID: 34030022 PMC: 8867873. DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.05.003.

Individual and social determinants of early sexual activity: A study of gender-based differences using the 2018 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study (HBSC).

Gazendam N, Cleverley K, King N, Pickett W, Phillips S PLoS One. 2020; 15(9):e0238515.

PMID: 32881922 PMC: 7470420. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238515.

Factors associated with family, school and behavioral characteristics on sexual initiation: A gender analysis for Brazilian adolescents.

Franca M, Frio G PLoS One. 2018; 13(12):e0208542.

PMID: 30532164 PMC: 6287818. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208542.

Age-varying associations between nonmarital sexual behavior and depressive symptoms across adolescence and young adulthood.

Vasilenko S Dev Psychol. 2016; 53(2):366-378.

PMID: 27854469 PMC: 5293671. DOI: 10.1037/dev0000229.

Sexuality (and Lack Thereof) in Adolescence and Early Adulthood: A Review of the Literature.

Boislard M, van de Bongardt D, Blais M Behav Sci (Basel). 2016; 6(1).

PMID: 26999225 PMC: 4810042. DOI: 10.3390/bs6010008.

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