Healthy Sex and Sexual Health: New Directions for Studying Outcomes of Sexual Health

Eva S. Lefkowitz, Sara A. Vasilenko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sexual behavior is an important aspect of adolescent development with implications for well-being. These chapters highlight important perspectives on studying sexual health from a normative, developmental perspective, such as viewing a range of sexual behaviors as life events; considering potentially positive physical health, mental health, social health, and identity outcomes; examining both intraindividual and interindividual differences in outcomes; recognizing the romantic relationship context of sexual behavior and understanding how sexual media may impact sexual health outcomes. We suggest new directions for studying sexual health outcomes, such as studying behaviors beyond vaginal sex and condom use, new methodologies such as latent class analysis, sophisticated longitudinal designs, and collection and analysis of dyadic data. We recommend research on populations underrepresented in sexual health research such as late adolescents who do not attend traditional universities and adolescents from ethnic/racial minorities. Finally, we consider future directions for sexuality education and prevention efforts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)87-98
Number of pages12
JournalNew Directions for Child and Adolescent Development
Volume2014
Issue number144
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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