Experiential factors in childhood and adolescent sexual behavior: Family interaction and previous sexual experiences

Abstract

An epigenetic developmental model was employed in focusing on experiential variables assumed to be antecedent to child, adolescent, and college‐age sexual behavior. Retrospective data were obtained from students at a large Oklahoma university and a large New York university. General linear models procedure (GLM) analyses revealed significant geographic differences in 18 out of 65 variables. Differences were found in specific demographic variables and in specific parenting variables that are of importance in an epigenetic model and are logically related to differences between the two geographic regions. Significant sex differences were found for 41 out of 62 variables, generally consistent with those reported in the literature. The results of correlational analyses support the hypothesis that the child's self‐stimulatory and interactive sexual behaviors are an essential aspect of experiential influences upon psychosexual development. The patterns found were different for the two sexes. Parental influences were not found to be an essential aspect of experiential influences. Given the retrospective nature of the study, results are viewed as tentative. Future researchers should use those methodologies provided by the developmental sciences and focus on influences in all developmental periods