Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Early Non-Coital Sexual and Relationship Behaviors: A Latent Class Analysis

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked with risky sexual behaviors. However, we do not know how various ACE dimensions influence adolescent sexual behavior, especially behaviors that are precursors to early sexual intercourse. Using the data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study, we conducted LCA on 13 ACE measures assessed at ages 9–11 and analyzed how these latent classes relate to romantic relationships and early non-coital sexual behaviors (kissing and touching) at ages 11–12. We identified six distinct classes: Low ACEs (48.4%), Material Hardship and Community Violence (19.2%), Parental Dysfunction (18.6%), Parental Dysfunction and Criminal Justice Involvement (6.5%), Community and Peer Violence, Material Hardship, and Parental Dysfunction (6.4%), and Household Violence, Parental Dysfunction and Child Abuse (0.6%). The last three classes exhibited a higher likelihood of engaging in romantic and early non-coital sexual behaviors than adolescents in the Low ACEs class. The diverse impacts of ACE patterns suggest we should implement trauma-informed early sexuality education programs.