Sexual Risk Behavior among Male and Female Truant Youths: Exploratory, Multi-Group Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

Little is known of sexual risk behaviors among truant youths across gender. This study utilized latent class analysis to examined heterogeneity of sexual risk behaviors across gender among a sample of 300 truant adolescents. Results revealed two latent subgroups within gender: low vs. high sexual risk behaviors. There were gender differences in baseline covariates of sexual risk behaviors, with male truants in higher risk group experiencing ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) problems, and female truants in higher risk group experienced marijuana use and depression symptoms. African-American race was a significant covariate for high sexual risk behaviors for both genders. Service and practice implications of sexual risk issues of truant youth are discussed.

Keywords: STI; delinquency; marijuana use; mental health; sexual risk; truancy; truants.

Figure 1

Multiple group latent class model with covariates. Gender serves as a known class for estimating the latent class analyses. The latent class is estimated for n classes comprised of the sexual risk behavior observed variables for the five time points. The latent categorical variable(s) are regressed on the covariates. All covariates (X1-X13) were measured at baseline. X1 = age. X2 = family income. X3 = who the youth lives with (mother). X4 = race (African American). X5 = ethnicity (Hispanic). X6 = family experience of traumatic events. X7 = marijuana use. X8 = self-reported delinquency. X9 = Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). X10 = depression. X11 = anxiety. X12 = mania-like. X13 = BI intervention. T1 = baseline. T2 = 3-month follow-up. T3 = 6-month follow-up. T4 = 12-month follow-up. T5 = 18-month follow-up.