The Influence of Sexual Experience on Mental Health among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sexual experience and mental health of male and female adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional, secondary analysis was performed using the 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. Data from 54,848 adolescents were examined using descriptive statistics, Rao-Scott x2 test, and hierarchical logistic regression analysis. Results: After adjusting for individual, family, social, and mental health factors as potential confounders, adolescents with sexual experience were found to have significantly higher odds of experiencing depression, suicidal ideation, and loneliness than those without sexual experience. Among adolescents with sexual experience, males had higher levels of suicidal thoughts than females, while females reported higher levels of depression and loneliness than their male counterparts. Conclusion: Since sexual experience can increase mental health risk of adolescents, it is necessary to seek countermeasures for active sexual education and mental health promotion so that correct adult awareness and sexual behavior can be established.