PREDICTING SEXUAL EXPERIENCE IN ADOLESCENT BOYS FROM PEER REJECTION AND ACCEPTANCE DURING CHILDHOOD

This longitudinal study of 77 boys focuses on the relation between pee r relationships in 6th grade and number of sexual partners in IOth gra de. Separate models were built for peer rejection and peer acceptance. In 10th grade, 56 boys were virgins and 21 were sexually experienced, the majority with multiple partners. As predicted, peer rejection in sixth grade was associated with number of sexual partners 4 years late r via self-restraint and misconduct. Specifically, peers low in self-r estraint were rejected by classmates. As adolescents, low-restraint bo ys were more involved in misconduct, which in turn was associated with number of sexual-partners. Peer acceptance was also associated with n umber of sexual partners, although via a different path. Boys popular in elementary school were more likely to date extensively during adole scence and to drink alcohol at parties and other gatherings. Dating an d alcohol afforded greater opportunities for sexual intercourse with m ultiple partners.