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. 2015 Oct:44:280-90.
doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.08.011. Epub 2015 Sep 1.

Patterns of relationship and sexual behaviors in Mexican adolescents and associations with well-being: A latent class approach

Graciela Espinosa-Hernández  1 , Sara A Vasilenko  2
Affiliations

Patterns of relationship and sexual behaviors in Mexican adolescents and associations with well-being: A latent class approach

Graciela Espinosa-Hernández et al. J Adolesc. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

To broaden our understanding of romance and sexuality during adolescence in Latin American countries, we used a person-oriented approach (latent class analysis) to examine classes marked by different patterns of romantic and sexual behaviors in Mexican adolescents. We found 5 classes: Inactive (8.53%), Early stage (37.8%), Waiting class (27.5%), Physical (8.4%) and Committed (17.9%); but no group dating class. We also explored how these classes were associated with adolescents' mental health and school performance. Middle school adolescents in the Committed class (high in romantic and sexual behaviors) had the highest level of depressive symptoms. Girls in the Inactive class and boys in the Physical class had the lowest level of symptoms. Adolescents in the Committed class also reported less academic motivation and achievement, whereas adolescents in the Inactive class reported higher motivation. This study expands our knowledge of adolescent romantic and sexual development in Mexico.

Keywords: Adolescents; LCA; Latinos; Mexicans; Romantic experiences; Sexual behavior.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Estimated level of depressive symptoms for adolescents by romantic and sexual behavior latent class, by gender and school type (middle v. high school). Dotted lines indicate overall mean depressive symptoms.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Estimated level of anxiety symptoms for adolescents by romantic and sexual behavior latent class, by gender and school type (middle v. high school). Dotted lines indicate overall mean anxiety symptoms.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Estimated level of academic motivation for adolescents by romantic and sexual behavior latent class, by gender and school type (middle v. high school). Dotted lines indicate overall mean academic motivation scores.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Estimated grades for adolescents by romantic and sexual behavior latent class, by gender and school type (middle v. high school). Dotted lines indicate overall mean grades.
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