Citation

Le GT, Deardorff J, Lahiff M, Harley KG. J. Adolesc. Health 2019; 64(3): 398-404.

Affiliation

University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, California.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.09.028

PMID

30514651

Abstract

PURPOSE: Research on parental incarceration and the health of offspring is relatively scarce despite studies linking childhood adverse experiences to a range of physical and mental health conditions. This study aimed to estimate the associations between parental incarceration and sexual risk outcomes (early sexual onset, inconsistent condom use, and sexually transmitted infections [STIs]) in young adulthood.

METHODS: We used logistic regression to estimate associations of sexual risk taking behaviors with parental incarceration during childhood in a sample of 3,972 participants in The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) between 2001 and 2009.

RESULTS: Parental incarceration was associated with early sexual onset (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-2.03) and STIs (AOR =2.0, 95% CI = 1.3-3.2). Maternal incarceration was associated with increased odds of early sexual onset (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.9-6.7), inconsistent condom use (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.3-8.9), and STIs (AOR = 5.5, 95% CI = 1.7-17.6). Additionally, paternal incarceration and parental incarceration occurring before age 10 were associated with STIs (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.8; AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.7).

CONCLUSIONS: Parental incarceration, especially maternal imprisonment, is associated with risky sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections in young adults in the United States. Intervening during or prior to the adolescent developmental period may ameliorate risky sexual behaviors and related health outcomes among children of incarceration parents.

Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Add health; Adolescent health; Early sexual onset; Mass incarceration; Parental imprisonment; Parental incarceration; Risky sexual behavior; Sexual health; Sexually transmitted infections; Young adult