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Drinking and sexual experience on first dates among adolescents
1Department of Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA. psymlc@showme.missouri.edu
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Alcohol use by males, not females, increased intercourse likelihood on first dates, particularly for conflicted males. This suggests alcohol
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is prevalent among adolescents and young adults.
- Understanding the role of alcohol in sexual decision-making is crucial for public health.
- Steele's inhibitory conflict model provides a framework for examining alcohol's effects on behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between alcohol use and the probability of intercourse on first dates.
- To examine gender differences in alcohol's effects on sexual behavior.
- To test the applicability of Steele's inhibitory conflict model to alcohol-related sexual decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study using a random sample of adolescents and young adults.
- Two waves of interviews approximately 4.5 years apart.
- Analysis of self-reported alcohol consumption and sexual behavior on first dates.
Main Results:
- Male alcohol consumption significantly increased the probability of intercourse.
- Alcohol's effect on intercourse probability was most pronounced in males highly conflicted about sex.
- Highly conflicted females did not show a similar alcohol-related increase in intercourse probability.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol may disinhibit males, increasing intercourse likelihood, especially when conflicted.
- Findings partially support Steele's model but highlight gender differences.
- A broader model incorporating both alcohol-related disinhibition and inhibition may better explain these complex behaviors.