Sexually Active Teenagers Are More Likely to Be Depressed and to Attempt Suicide

Sexually Active Teenagers Are More Likely to Be Depressed and to Attempt Suicide
Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, and Lauren R. Noyes

The problems of pregnancy and out-of-wed-lock childbearing are severe. In 2000, some 240,000 children were born to girls aged 18 or younger. Nearly all these teenage mothers were unmarried. These mothers and their children have an extremely high probability of long-term poverty and welfare dependence. Less widely known are the psychological and emotional problems associated with teenage sexual activity. The present study examines the linkage between teenage sexual activity and emotional health. The findings show that: When compared to teens who are not sexually active, teenage boys and girls who are sexually active are significantly less likely to be happy and more likely to feel depressed; When compared to teens who are not sexually active, teenage boys and girls who are sexually active are significantly more likely to attempt suicide.