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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Cheryl Aspy, PhD¹, Roy Oman, PhD², Sara Vesely, PhD², Eleni Tolma, PhD², Sharon Rodine³, and LaDonna Marshall³. (1) College of Medicine OUHSC, Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, 900 NE 10th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-271-2370, cheryl-aspy@ouhsc.edu, (2) College of Public Health, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, 900 NE 10th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, (3) OICA, 420 NW 13th, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Cross-sectional studies suggest that youth assets are associated with youth abstinence, but whether these relationships are constant across youth developmental age groups has not been shown. Data for this study were obtained from two independent datasets collected across a 6 year period using in-person, in-home interviews of youth (Mean age= 14.6±1.5 years; 52% female; 44% White, 23% Hispanic, 23% Black, 10% other) and their parents (N=2163 youth/parent pairs) living in randomly selected households in two Midwest cities. Data were analyzed to determine if sexual abstinence was differentially associated with youth assets across two developmental age groups. 88% of “young” teens aged 12-14 and 58% of “middle” teens aged 15-17 reported no sexual intercourse. Individual logistic regression models for youth assets and youth abstinence found 5 youth assets with significant adjusted odds ratios for both age groups (“young” and “middle” respectively): Non-Parental Adult Role models (1.65, 1.71); Family Communication (1.8, 1.6); Use of Time (religion) (1.65, 2.32); Responsible Choices (1.70, 1.66); and Peer Role Models (2.62, Interaction). This interaction suggested that youth from race-ethnicities other than Black who were 15 -17 years old were 2.5-3 times more likely to report abstinence than youth without this asset. Community Involvement (OR=2.67) was associated with abstinence for young teens only and Aspirations for the Future (OR = 2.23), only for middle teens. Five youth assets were associated with youth abstinence across both age groups, but two assets were also associated differentially. These findings can inform policies and programs targeting youth sexual decision-making.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to

• Describe specific youth assets associated with youth abstinence for youth aged 12 -17.
• Identify specific youth assets associated with youth abstinence for each of two developmental age groups (12-14 and 15-17).

Keywords: Adolescents, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation