Teenagers with psychiatric disorders are more likely to be sexually active and at higher risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, according to a new study from Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center.
- Lead author Larry Brown and his colleagues studied 840 teenagers, average age 15 years old, from Providence, Atlanta, and Chicago.
- Among the group were 150 teenagers with mania, 48 with internalizing disorders, 282 with externalizing disorders, 252 with more than one diagnosis, and 105 in mental health treatment for unspecified reasons.
- These teens were much more likely to be sexually active, to have more partners than any average, and to have sexually transmitted diseases.
- Over 30% had engaged in sex within the past three months, with 15% having four or more partners. Fourteen percent had a sexually-transmitted disease.
The main finding of the study was that teens with certain psychiatric disorders were more likely to engage in risky sex. These were teens in the manic stage of bipolar disorder, and teens with externalizing disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity, conduct disorders, and defiant or hostile behaviors, like stealing.
"Increased sexual risk-taking may be linked to these disorders because they are often associated with impulsive or reckless behaviors, which could include multiple sexual partners or not using condoms regularly," said Dr. Brown. "... The sexual risk behavior of teens with these diagnoses should be carefully and routinely screened as part of their mental health treatment."
This study appears in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
Labels: sex, mental_health, sexually transmitted_diseases
Posted By: CRC Health