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Association between Sexual Behavior and Depression in South Korean Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

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  • Hyunkyu Kim

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Wonjeong Jeong

    (Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Sungin Jang

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Youseok Kim

    (Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Department of Hospital Administration, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Euncheol Park

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

Abstract

Adolescent depression and suicide have become leading public health and socioeconomic problems. Determining the connection between adolescent behavior and depression can inform strategies to reduce the prevalence of depression and suicide. We investigated the association between sexual behavior and depression in South Korean adolescents. Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from the 2017–2019 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. Data of 178,664 subjects were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. After adjusting for covariates, the prevalence of depression was found to be higher in subjects with experience of sexual intercourse (adjusted odds ratio = 1.71, 95% confidence interval = 1.59–1.83 in boys; adjusted odds ratio = 1.47, confidence interval = 1.33–1.61 in girls). On categorizing subjects into two groups based on suicidality, subjects with sexual intercourse experience had higher odds ratios for depression with suicidality (aOR:2.16 in boys, aOR:1.80in girls) than depression without suicidality (aOR:1.49 in boys, aOR:1.25 in girls). We identified the relationship between sexual behavior and the prevalence of depression; adolescents with experience of sexual intercourse were more likely to have depression with suicidality. Further research using prospective designs should serve as the basis for appropriate sex education policies to manage the relationship between sexual behavior and depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyunkyu Kim & Wonjeong Jeong & Sungin Jang & Youseok Kim & Euncheol Park, 2021. "Association between Sexual Behavior and Depression in South Korean Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4228-:d:537430
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joseph J. Sabia, 2006. "Does early adolescent sex cause depressive symptoms?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(4), pages 803-825.
    2. Yu Lu & Elizabeth Baumler & Jeff R. Temple, 2021. "Multiple Forms of Sexting and Associations with Psychosocial Health in Early Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-7, March.
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    1. Xueyin Wang & Jiangli Di & Gengli Zhao & Linhong Wang & Xiaosong Zhang, 2021. "Association of Nighttime Sleep Duration with Depressive Symptoms and Its Interaction with Regular Physical Activity among Chinese Adolescent Girls," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Weiya Li & Yu Wang & Mingyu Xu & Yingxue Liao & Haofeng Zhou & Huan Ma & Qingshan Geng, 2022. "Temporal Trends and Differences in Sexuality among Depressed and Non-Depressed Adults in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-11, October.
    3. Michele da Silva Valadão Fernandes & Thays Martins Vital da Silva & Priscilla Rayanne e Silva Noll & Alexandre Aparecido de Almeida & Matias Noll, 2022. "Depressive Symptoms and Their Associated Factors in Vocational–Technical School Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-20, March.

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