Deviant Sexuality in Adolesence

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Dishion, Ha & Veronneau (2012), adolescent problem behavior tends to peak in middle and late adolescence, for reasons largely attributed to peer pressures combined with sexual maturation (Dishion, Ha & Veronneau, 2012, p.4). The hypothesis of this quantitative article was that the phenomenon of clustering would be observed in an analysis of deviant behavior: i.e., that clusters of specific problems would be observed amongst peer groups versus general deviance, supporting the idea that deviant behavior was at least partially social in nature. The specific focus of the study was sexual behavior, including early promiscuity and childbearing, although other potentially problematic behaviors were also studied, including arguing or talking back or aggressive behavior, as reported by parents and teachers.

The model of the study was longitudinal in nature. 998 participants were assessed at age eleven and at different developmental points throughout the next eleven years. Parent, student, and teacher self-reports were all used for data, along with assessments of subjects such as parent income and childbirth, which could be objectively documented. The underlining theoretical basis of the study was social learning theory or the idea that human beings are social animals who quite literally learn by observing and mimicking the behavior of others. The desire to fit in can be particularly powerful for adolescents.

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Although biological factors such as early puberty were weakly correlated with early sexual activity, the predominant findings were that peer influence was the most significant factor upon sexual behavior.

Another paradigm influencing the research perspective was that of a life history perspective, which suggests that early experiences of the adolescent can shape later behaviors. Self-organization into peer groups combined with biological selection for certain behaviors such as aggression in males can also be influential in determining later adolescent behavior (Dishion, Ha & Veronneau, 2012, p.6). "If self-organization into peer groups is critical to sexual selection, a developmental history of marginal peer relationships and attenuated family ties may be particularly salient as a promotive condition for the formation of deviant peer groups" (Dishion, Ha & Veronneau, 2012, p.6). Low socioeconomic status has similarly been strongly correlated with early sexual and family milestones such as pregnancy, again, the authors suggested, because this can result in non-deviant peer rejection and association with deviant peer groups where early sexual behavior is normalized.

Although the study was not specifically designed to assess the validness of a particular intervention strategy, to ethically justify using the participants" information, "Half of the study sample were randomly assigned to a family-centered ecological approach to family intervention and treatment (EcoFIT)" (Dishion,.....

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