Pukyong National University Research Team Announces Study on Link Between Excessive Drinking and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents

Research by Professors Heo Wonbin and Oh Youngsam's Social Welfare Team

A study has found that as alcohol consumption increases among adolescents, the likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviors also rises.

A research team led by Professors Heo Wonbin and Oh Youngsam from the Department of Social Welfare at National Pukyong University announced the results of a study examining the correlation between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviors among Korean adolescents with heterosexual sexual experience. Risky sexual behaviors refer to sexual intercourse without contraception, such as not using condoms.

The research team utilized data from the 16th (2020) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, focusing on 2,487 adolescents with heterosexual sexual experience among a total of 54,948 students (from first year of middle school to third year of high school). Among them, the study compared 547 adolescents who drank alcohol with 547 who did not.

After analyzing the statistical data using propensity score matching (PSM) and multiple logistic regression analyses, the team found that alcohol consumption itself was not directly related to risky sexual behaviors.

However, when analyzing only the group of 547 adolescents who consumed alcohol, the study found that the likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviors without contraception increased as the amount of alcohol consumed rose.

In particular, when analyzing gender differences, the increased likelihood of risky sexual behaviors with higher alcohol consumption was observed only among female adolescents. No such correlation was found among male adolescents.

Professor Oh Youngsam stated, "In order to promote proper sexual behavior and awareness among adolescents, it is necessary for families, schools, and local communities to provide various forms of sex education and protective measures."

The research paper containing these findings, titled "The Relationships Between Alcohol Drinking and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Korean Adolescents: Focusing on Heterosexual Adolescents," was published in a recent issue of an international academic journal.

Wonbin Heo (left), Youngsam Oh professor.

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