Citation

Martin CA, Lommel K, Cox J, Kelly T, Rayens MK, Woodring JH, Omar H. J. Pediatr. Adolesc. Gynecol. 2007; 20(1): 45-49.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40509, USA. cmartin@uky.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpag.2006.10.008

PMID

17289518

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implications of dating in pre- and early adolescent females. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Child psychiatry clinic; pediatric clinic; family clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Pre- and early adolescent females (n = 80) aged 11-14 and their parents. INTERVENTION: Pre- and early adolescent females aged 11-14 and a parent were recruited during a regular clinic visit. Pre- and early adolescent females completed a survey that included measures of dating; sensation seeking; lifetime individual and peer drug use; Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder symptoms; and onset of menses. Parents were asked similar questions about their child's dating behaviors and peer relationships. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Association of early dating with individual and peer drug use, sensation seeking, aggressive behavior, and onset of menses. RESULTS: In pre- and early adolescent females, dating regularly is associated with nicotine and alcohol use, sensation seeking, and aggressive behavior. Dating regularly is also associated with onset of menses and a younger age of onset of menses in those who had started menstruating. Parents under-report their child's dating practices and associated high-risk behaviors. CONCLUSION: Early dating is associated with nicotine and alcohol use, sensation seeking, aggressive behavior, and early onset of menses in adolescent females. Questions about early dating are a simple and efficient way to open inquiry of both parents and children about high-risk behaviors in the clinic setting.

Language: en