Intergenerational Patterns of Sexual Risk Behavior in First-Time Juvenile Offenders and Their Caregivers

Introduction: Etiological models of behavioral disinhibition and problem behavior theory help explain how risk-taking can be transmitted across generations. Whereas the harmful influence of parental alcohol and drug abuse on a spectrum of adolescent externalizing problems is well-documented, less is known about intergenerational patterns of sexual risk behavior (SRB). Caregiver SRB and adolescent risk-taking outcomes are theoretically linked via genetic and environmental liabilities. To understand these associations, we examined data collected from first-time court-involved, non-incarcerated (CINI) juvenile offenders and an involved caregiver (N = 256 dyads; 93% birth parents) and explored (1) rates of caregiver SRB in this population (2) associations between caregiver SRB and youth SRB and substance use; and (3) risk and protective models linking intergenerational transmission of risk behavior though parental monitoring.

Methods: Participants were recruited as part of an epidemiological study of first-time CINI juveniles. Caregivers were assessed for SRB: early sexual debut, number of sexual partners, unprotected anal sex, history of having a sexual transmitted infection (STI), and sex while under the influence. Adolescents’ SRB (e.g., frequency of condom use) and substance use, and caregiver monitoring (frequency of location disclosure and caregiver knowledge of activities) were also reported. To test study hypotheses, cross-sectional associations were explored.  

Results: Rates of caregiver SRB ranged from 5% (sex while high) to 27% (history of STI). An index variable of caregiver SRB had positive associations with several adolescent SRBs and substance use behaviors controlling for adolescent gender such as recent anal sex (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.44-4.81) and marijuana use (B = .91, 95% CI = .13, 1.69). Monitoring only mediated two of these relationships—there were indirect negative effects of caregiver SRB on (1) likelihood of marijuana use through location disclosure (B = -.04, 95% CI = -.14, .00) and (2) frequency of marijuana use through caregiver knowledge of activities (B = -.18, 95% CI = -.46, -.01). In both models, there was also an opposing direct positive effect of caregiver SRB on outcomes.

Conclusions: As hypothesized, caregiver SRB was associated with greater adolescent sexual SRB and substance use. Caregiver monitoring partially explained these relations, at least in terms of marijuana use. Mediation models suggest that a history of SRB may serve as a protective factor, prompting caregivers to monitor teens more closely. At the same time, however, caregiver SRB was directly associated with increased juvenile marijuana use. Implications for family-based substance abuse and HIV prevention interventions are discussed.