Age of Sexual Debut and Physical Dating Violence Victimization: Gender differences among US High School Students

Background: Physical Dating Violence (PDV) victimization among adolescents is a major public health concern in the US. Research has shown that PDV is predicted by early age of sexual debut. However, gender-specific associations are sparse. This study aims to identify gender-specific differences in the association between age of sexual debut and PDV victimization, utilizing a nationally-representative sample of high-school students.

Methods: Data come from the 2009, 2011 and 2013 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Study population included 8,705 males and 8,207 females in grades 9 through 12. The association was examined using multivariate logistic regression models, stratified by gender. PDV was defined as physical violence by a date during the past 12 months and age of sexual debut, as age of first sexual intercourse.

Results: Sixteen percent of females and fourteen percent of males reported PDV victimization in the previous year. Among participants who experienced PDV, 22% reported initiating sex at ages 14 and 15 years respectively. In both males and females, the odds of PDV victimization increased with early sexual debut age. Males with sexual debut at ≤12 years had 40% higher odds of PDV victimization (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-3.7) than females (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3) with same sexual debut age.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that an early age of sexual debut is associated with higher odds of PDV victimization with males being disproportionately affected. It is therefore essential that parents, educators and counselors give particular attention to delaying sexual debut age in adolescents, especially males.