Martinez, Dexter (SID: 312084625)

PSYC1001

PSYC1001 Essay
The Relationship Between Sexual Debut and Future Romantic Outcomes
Dexter Martinez
SID: 312084625
The University of Sydney

Martinez, Dexter (SID: 312084625)

PSYC1001

Abstract
An adolescents initiation into sexual behaviour is a major defining moment in the constant
assessment of ones self, one that develops a personal framework for future romantic relationships
in adulthood. Much psychosocial studies have been utilised in order to determine the extent to
which the timing of sexual debut (early, on-time or late) can be used as a predictor for future
romantic outcomes. Hardens (2012) findings examined a correlation between the timing of first
sexual intercourse and the quality and involvement of future romantic relationships. The data
identified that first time sexual intercourse after the age of 19 resulted in an individual reporting a
high relationship quality, whilst becoming less likely to be involved in romantic relationships in
adulthood. Despite undertaking an extensive study, Harden (2012) is only able to speculate
regarding the correlation, however, research into attachment theory and self-concept are capable of
supporting such claims.

Martinez, Dexter (SID: 312084625)

PSYC1001

The Relationship Between Sexual Debut and Future Romantic Outcomes

In todays society, the young adult is more inclined to engage and leave relationships
regularly (Saddler et al., 2012), with such relations classed as spontaneous and disorderly. During
this adolescent phase, the individual is provided with the ability to prepare and learn from
opportunities in order to produce favourable outcomes in the future (Seiffge-Krenke, 2003, as cited
by Harden, 2012), thus, a unique personal framework for adulthood begins to emerge. Discussion
continues to surround the confusion the impact early sexual involvement may have on romantic
outcomes throughout ones maturation, with Hardens (2012) study concluding that sexual
intercourse after 19 results in a reduced involvement in the amount of romantic relationships,
whilst, reporting an increase in relationship quality. Despite undertaking an extensive study, Harden
(2012) is only able to hypothesize as to why his research resulted in such data. These findings were
reinforced through the exploration of the field of attachment theory by identifying the unique
individual characteristics exhibited by the multiple attachment styles. Such individual
characteristics were associated with both a variety of intrapersonal and interpersonal variables
unique to ones attachment style. Additionally, ones personal identification of self-concept and selfworth varied depending on their identified attachment style, however, these factors were utilised in
order to protect or expose the individual to early sexual experiences, henceforth, generating the
individuals relationship quality and relationship involvement, as stated by Harden (2012).
The study of attachment theory is relatively useful in predicting satisfaction and
involvement in relation to romantic relationships during adulthood. Prior to entering into a
relationship, an individuals psychological processing blueprint has established the manner in which
the actions of their partner will be determined (Meyers, 2006). Hardens (2012) findings are
supported through Meyers (2006) identification of four unique attachment patterns within adults;
secure, insecure, preoccupied and avoidant (dismissive and fearful). Secure individuals tend to have
a positive outlook of themselves and others, whilst having a sense of comfortability in engaging
various relationships (Meyers, 2006). Additionally, Bowlby (2007, as cited by Adamczyk &
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Martinez, Dexter (SID: 312084625)

PSYC1001

Pilarska, 2012, pg. 60) noted that such securely attached individuals reported a high quality home
environment associated with heightened expectations before entering intimate relationships, and
greater relationship satisfaction than anxious or avoidant individuals. The interpersonal element of
the family household is a multifaceted composition of social and psychological factors including the
communication between parent and child, as well as the family structure. Lenciauskiene &
Zaborskis (2008) suggest the quality of the family relationship have implications on the social
systems associated with an individuals decision to participate in sexual intercourse, with
adolescents accounting for increased levels of family connectedness, engaging with fewer sexually
intimate partners. Such a family structure may proceed to develop ones securely attached
expectations, which may ultimately hinder the individuals decision to delay the timing of their
sexual behaviour.
In contrast, insecure individuals exhibit low self-esteem, a sense of inconvenience and
avoidance with closeness, whilst, expressing an emotional instability during stressful interactions
(Meyers, 2006). Individuals whom are classified as an insecure attachment style, encounter
nervousness and displeasure over perceived abandonment, with such individuals reporting a high
frequency of relationship break-ups (Meyers, 2006, pg. 75). Hardens (2012) identification that
early sexual behaviour in individuals led to an increased amount of involvement in romantic
relationships later in life is subject to ones insecure attachment nature. An individual whom is
exposed to an extensive amount of sexual and intimate relationships early, is able to identify the
intrapersonal standards for which they are looking to find in their future partner easier than those
whom delay sexual experiences. Furthermore, this particular individual is able to determine whether
or not a relationship is worth maintaining as they are already made aware of what they are looking
for through past experiences. According to Shulman (2003, as cited by Harden, 2012, pg. 1325),
such an individual has been provided more opportunity to practice communication and emotional
balancing, thus, producing an increased chance of favourable outcomes in the future.

Martinez, Dexter (SID: 312084625)

PSYC1001

Ones attachment style is integrated through a personal evaluation over a variety of

distinguishable aspects, enabling the rise of self-concepts and self-worths as significant components
in the adolescent stage (Udell et al., 2010). Self-concept can be classified as the cognitive elements
that form within individuals; the personal beliefs upheld by ones self. Studies have shown differing
links between self-concepts and sexual debut (Udell et al., 2010). However, Hucker et al. (2010, pg.
69) propose that an individual with an internally consistent self-concept, will possibly use this as a
protective factor in opposition to early sexual debut, in order to avoid poor sexual self-evaluations
which may lead to low relationship satisfaction. In comparison, the same notion applies to a
positive self-concept of sexual identity, which may ultimately culminate in the promotion of
greater relationship quality by improving ones personal identification and prioritisation of
relationship needs.
In conclusion, despite Hardens ability to only speculate as to the correlation with the data
he collected, there is a substantial amount of evidence to support such speculations (Meyers, 2006;
Adamczyk & Pilarska, 2012; Lenciauskiene & Zaborskis, 2008; Udell et al., 2010). The adolescent
stage is a time for growth and personal development, it is during this period that individuals begin
to characterise their cognitive beliefs, and the affective and behavioural components for which their
maturation process will be guided by. Sexual interaction and relationships with individuals do not
materialise in isolation, but rather they are building blocks of ones comprehensive biology and
social ecology of adolescent development (Holowaty et al., 1997, pg. 71). Similarly, in Hardens
work, he was able to identify the correlation between the timing of sexual debut in adolescence, and
the subsequent effect this had on an individuals later life, highlighting the notion that individuals
whom delayed sexual intercourse to after 19, experienced greater relationship quality and less
relationship involvement. Through analysing Hardens (2012) findings via attachment theory and
the individual process of examining ones own self-concept, it is evident that such intrapersonal and
interpersonal variables have a subsequent affect on the individuals sexual identity. Whether or not
an individual commits to early sexual debut or not, their decision is constructed upon such
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Martinez, Dexter (SID: 312084625)

PSYC1001

variables, with future relationship quality and romantic relationship involvement being influenced
by the personal framework established in the adolescent phase.

Martinez, Dexter (SID: 312084625)

PSYC1001

References:
Adamczyk, K., & Pilarska, A. (2012). Attachment style, relationship status, gender and relational
competences among young adults. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 43, 59-69.
Harden, K. (2012). True love waits? A sibling-comparison study of age at first sexual intercourse
and romantic relationships in young adulthood. Psychological Science, 23, 1324-1336.
Holowaty, P., Harvey, B., Feldman, L., Rannie, K., Shortt, L., & Jamal, A. (1997). A comparison of
the demographic, lifestyle and sexual behaviour characteristics of virgin and non-virgin
adolescents. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 6, 67-77.
Hucker, A., Mussap, A., & McCabe, M. (2010). Self-concept clarity and womens sexual wellbeing. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 19, 67-77.
Lenciauskiene, I., & Zaborskis, A. (2008). The effects of family structure, parent-child relationship
and parental monitoring on early sexual behaviour among adolescents in nine European
countries. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 36, 607-618.
Meyers, L. (2006). The role of attachment style, gender, and relationship history in romantic
relationship satisfaction and partner selection. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 1,
pg. 75.
Saddler, S., Addo, F., & Lichter, D. (2012). The Tempo of Sexual Activity and Later Relationship
Quality. Journal of Marriage and Family, 74, 708-725.
Udell, W., Sandford, T., Reitz, E., Bos, H., & Dekovic, M. (2010). The Relationship Between Early
Sexual Debut and Psychosocial Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study of Dutch Adolescents.
Archives of Sexual Behaviour, 39, 1133-1145.
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Martinez, Dexter (SID: 312084625)

PSYC1001