Trajectories of Sexual Orientation from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: Results from a Community-Based Urban Sample of Girls

Johnny Berona*, Stephanie D. Stepp, Alison E. Hipwell, Kate E. Keenan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the longitudinal cohesion and stability of sexual minority status indicators. Methods: The sample comprised 2,450 girls recruited from the city of Pittsburgh at ages 5–8 years. Sexual attraction, sexual partnering, romantic partnering, and sexual orientation identity were assessed between 14 and 22 years. Results: Repeated measures latent class analysis identified three sexual minority trajectories: primarily other-sex oriented (n = 716), primarily same-sex oriented (n = 90), and bisexually oriented (n = 235). Sexual minority status indicators displayed fluidity over time but cohered within latent classes. Conclusions: Within this large sample of girls, several distinct sexuality trajectories emerged. Trajectories are relatively stable from adolescence to young adulthood.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)57-61
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Adolescent Health
Volume63
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2018

Keywords

  • Developmental trajectories
  • Sexual minority
  • Sexual orientation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Trajectories of Sexual Orientation from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: Results from a Community-Based Urban Sample of Girls'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this