Correlates of same-sex sexual behavior in a random sample of Massachusetts high school students

Am J Public Health. 1998 Feb;88(2):262-6. doi: 10.2105/ajph.88.2.262.

Abstract

Objectives: This study documented risk behaviors among homosexually and bisexually experienced adolescents.

Methods: Data were obtained from a random sample of high school students in Massachusetts. Violence, substance use, and suicide behaviors were compared between students with same-sex experience and those reporting only heterosexual contact. Differences in prevalence and standard errors of the differences were calculated.

Results: Students reporting same-sex contact were more likely to report fighting and victimization, frequent use of alcohol, other drug use, and recent suicidal behaviors.

Conclusions: Students with same-sex experience may be at elevated risk of injury, disease, and death resulting from violence, substance abuse, and suicidal behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Bisexuality / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Homosexuality / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Massachusetts / epidemiology
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Students
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Suicide, Attempted / statistics & numerical data
  • Violence / statistics & numerical data