Abstract
This article examines the relationship between personal discount rates and sexual behaviors in a sample of teenagers and young adults. We find that higher discount rates (an indication of less willingness to forego current consumption for future consumption) are significantly associated with a range of sexual behaviors, including ever having sex, having sex before age 16 years, and past or current pregnancy. These associations are consistent with previous studies showing a link between discounting and other, non-sexual health behaviors.
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Chesson, H.W., Leichliter, J.S., Zimet, G.D. et al. Discount rates and risky sexual behaviors among teenagers and young adults. J Risk Uncertainty 32, 217–230 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-006-9520-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-006-9520-1