Emerging Adults' Discussion of Substance Use and Sexual Behavior with Providers. Issue 2 (1st February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blevins, Claire E.; Anderson, Bradley J.; Caviness, Celeste M.; Herman, Debra S.; Stein, Michael D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of health communication. Volume 24:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 121
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2019-02-01
• Subjects: Communication in medicine -- Periodicals; 610.14
• DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2019.1583700
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1081-0730

Abstract

Abstract : Emerging adulthood (ages 18–25) is a time of increased autonomy and associated with a high rate of risky substance use and sexual behavior. As emerging adults (EA) increasingly have more independence, they have the ability to make health decisions, including whether to see a provider (primary care (PCP) and/or gynecologist (GYN)) and whether to discuss substance use and sexual behavior. The current study aimed to determine: (1) factors associated with PCP and GYN health-care seeking by sexually active EA who use alcohol and/or marijuana; (2) gender differences in substance use and sexual risk topics initiated by providers; (3) whether PCPs compared to GYNs discuss different topics with women. Alcohol and/or marijuana-using, sexually active EA (n = 500) were recruited as part of a health behaviors study. Among participants, 39% did not see a PCP in the previous year. Women, White individuals, and EA with health insurance were most likely to attend a PCP appointment. Even among participants who saw a provider, many participants reported that providers did not initiate a discussion about substance use (approximately half discussed substance use) and sexual behavior (about half discussed STI history, two-thirds discussed condom use, and three-quarters discussed sexual partners). Among women with a PCP and GYN provider, discussions on substance use were more likely to be initiated by a PCP while sexual issues were more likely to be initiated by a GYN. Thus, even among sexually active, substance-using EA, central topics – specifically substance use and sexual behavior – are not routinely brought up by providers.