Early adolescent alcohol use and sexual experience by emerging adulthood: a 10-year longitudinal investigation.

PURPOSE: The current study examined the long-term relationship of early adolescent alcohol use to number of sexual partners by emerging adulthood.

METHODS: Using data from a 10-year longitudinal study, we collected data on sixth- and seventh-grade students' alcohol use and their lifetime number of sexual partners 10 years later.

RESULTS: We found a significant effect of early alcohol use in the sixth and seventh grades on lifetime number of sexual partners 10 years later, controlling for gender, age, race, peer norms, and sensation seeking. Early age at first intercourse mediated the association between early alcohol use and number of sexual partners.

CONCLUSIONS: Interventions focused on preventing use of alcohol at an early age may have the potential to reduce risks for sexually transmitted diseases during adolescence and emerging adulthood.