Youth Assets and Sexual Activity: Differences Based on RacelEthnicity

Race/ethnicity has been associated with the prevalence of sexual activity among youth as well as with youth assets. Research has also shown that youth assets are associated with youth abstinence. However, very few studies have examined whether the relationship between youth assets and sexual activity might differ based on race/ethnicity. The study sample consisted of youth (Mean agtpl4.9 ±1.8 years; 52 % Fernale; 49 % White; 25 % Hispanic; 26 % Black) and their parents (N=2090 youth/parent pairs) living in two Midwest cities. Thirty-seven percent of Black youth, 29 % of White youth and 27 % of Hispanic youth have reported being sexually active. Within the White subgroup only four assets (Family Communication, Use of time [Religionl, Community Involvement and Peer Role Models) were significantl