Sexual attitudes and associated psychiatric features among youths in a community sample

Using an epidemiological sample of adolescents, this study examined associa tions between the acceptability of potential sex partners and psychiatric s tatus. Method: Subjects aged 14 to 17 years (N = 161) from the Columbia sit e of the National institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Methods for the Epidemi ology of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders (MECA) Study were grouped ac cording to their responses about the acceptability of youths their age havi ng sex with partners of (1) the opposite sex, (2) neither sex, and (3) eith er sex. Youths endorsing either sex were compared with youths endorsing the other two types of partners according to psychiatric indicators obtained f rom the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version 2.3. Results: Hi gher-than-expected proportions of male and female youths endorsed sex partn ers of either sex as potentially acceptable for peers. Youths who did so ab used substances and used mental health services more than peers but did not differ in rates of suicidal ideation or attempts. Males endorsing either s ex also had higher rates of mood disorders and, compared with males endorsi ng only the opposite sex. a higher intelligence level. Conclusions: Attitud es about the potential acceptability of sex partners for peers are associat ed with psychiatric morbidity and mental health service use in the responde nt as well as with intelligence level in males. Youths who endorsed potenti al sex partners of either sex. especially males, appear to be at higher ris k for multiple psychiatric problems.