Table 2.
Distribution of sexual orientation characteristics and sexual initiation indicators among respondents, by biological sex
| Total (n=2,154) | Females (n=1,628) | Males (n=526) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual Orientation | |||
| Sexual Identity, %*** | |||
| 100% Heterosexual a | 18.3 | 17.1 | 21.7 |
| Mostly Heterosexual | 59.7 | 66.3 | 41.4 |
| Bisexual | 9.1 | 9.6 | 7.8 |
| Mostly Homosexual | 4.4 | 3.4 | 7.3 |
| 100% Homosexual | 8.5 | 3.6 | 22.0 |
| Lifetime Sexual Partnering, % *** | |||
| Other-sex only | 37.3 | 40.8 | 27.8 |
| Same sex + other-sex | 56.3 | 57.5 | 52.9 |
| Same-sex only | 6.4 | 1.7 | 19.3 |
| Pre-18 Sexual Partnering, % *** | |||
| None | 20.9 | 17.7 | 29.8 |
| Other sex only | 57.6 | 65.7 | 35.1 |
| Other sex + same sex | 15.7 | 14.5 | 19.3 |
| Same-sex only | 5.8 | 2.1 | 15.9 |
| Sexual Initiation Indicators | |||
| Number of types of sexual acts, mean *** | 2.56 | 2.61 | 2.40 |
| Timing of first sexual encounter (age), mean * | 15.67 | 15.49 | 16.17 |
| Anal sex Before age 18, % *** | 13.4 | 11.0 | 20.2 |
| Spacing Between 1st and 2nd Behaviors (yrs), % * | |||
| Multi-behaviors | 41.3 | 40.9 | 42.4 |
| 1 | 19.8 | 19.9 | 19.6 |
| 2 | 12.6 | 13.5 | 9.9 |
| 3–5 | 14.5 | 15.3 | 12.2 |
| 6+ | 7.1 | 6.8 | 8.2 |
| Single lifetime | 4.6 | 3.5 | 7.8 |
| First sexual behavior, % *** | |||
| VI first | 32.9 | 40.7 | 11.7 |
| OS first | 24.8 | 18.2 | 43.1 |
| AI, no VI | 3.4 | 0.3 | 12.0 |
| VI/OS | 35.1 | 36.8 | 30.3 |
| AI/VI | 3.8 | 4.1 | 2.9 |
VI= Vaginal Intercourse; OS= Oral Sex; AI= Anal Intercourse
All column percentages weighted to reflect Add Health complex sampling design. Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding and/or weighting. Sample included 6 respondents who had engaged in same-sex partnering, but did not report sexual orientation identity.
Stars next to variable names indicate chi2-test [categorical variables]/F-tests [continuous variables] of significant difference in predictor distribution across class membership;
p<.05;
p<.01;
p<.001,;
p<.10
The sexual minority sample included those who either self-identified as a sexual minority, and/or who reported a history of sexual partnering with at least 1 partner of the same sex. Therefore, a number of respondents who identified as 100% heterosexual, yet had a history of same-sex sexual partnering, were included as sexual minorities.