The prevalence of and risk factors associated with unwanted sexual act
ivity by dates/boyfriends were studied prospectively over a four-year
period in a sample of young, rural adolescent girls. Twenty-three per
cent reported such experiences from dates/boyfriends by the fourth yea
r of the study, including forced touching, intercourse, oral sex, and/
or other sexual behaviors; fifteen per cent had experienced date rape.
Familial variables were not found to be significant predictors of unw
anted sexual activity by dates/boyfriends. However, earlier age of men
arche and sexual activity were significant predictors, as were more se
xually active same sex friends, poorer peer relationships, and poorer
emotional status.