Coming of Age across America: Local Conditions and Risky Sexual Behavior of Adolescents

Diane K. McLaughlin, Pennsylvania State University
Anastasia R. Snyder, Pennsylvania State University

Despite recent reductions in teen sexual activity and the increased use of condoms and other contraceptive methods (CDC, 2000; AGI, 1996), the statistics on teen sexual behavior remain alarming and document that sexual behavior is a significant threat to teen health. While a substantial amount of research has been conducted that examines the consequences of neighborhood conditions for youth behaviors, these studies predominately target urban youth. Studies of community conditions and risky behaviors among rural youth have largely been limited to case studies or comparisons of selected communities. In this research, we extend the analysis of local context to include rural and urban settings, with special emphasis on local poverty, racial composition, and rurality. We use the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Udry and Bearman 1998) and estimate multilevel models of youth risky sexual behavior focusing on local conditions and interactions of local conditions with youth and family characteristics.