Structuring the Future: Network Structure, Anticipated Life Events, and Adolescent Sexual Behavior

Brian Soller, Ohio State University
Dana Haynie, Ohio State University

Research suggests anticipating positive life events and outcomes (like graduating from college) protects against risky sexual behavior. Research also suggests network structure impacts the performance of sex-related risk behavior. Little research has focused on the association between peers’ anticipation of life events and risk behavior. This paper tests the interactive effects of social network structure and peers’ perceptions of future events on sexual risk behavior among adolescents in the Add Health Study. Findings indicate that relative to those who engage in non-romantic sex, adolescents who are more central in their social networks and who have friends who anticipate future success are more likely to abstain or engage in sex only within the context of a romantic relationship. Network density did not alter the association between peers’ perception of future success the outcome. Possible explanations for significant and null associations are explored.