The effects of father absence on risky sexual behaviour in adolescents: A meta-analysis and findings from an Australian birth cohort study

Abstract

Factors within the early family environment have been linked to risky behaviour in adolescence. Located within a biopsychosocial theoretical paradigm, this thesis outlined the major theories that provide a framework for understanding the link between the family of origin and adolescent risky sexual behaviour (RSB) which presents significant challenges to the health and wellbeing of adolescents. This thesis provided an overview of the established empirical predictors of adolescent RSB and identified the interrelations of these variables. A systematic review of the last twenty-five years of research into the association between father absence and adolescent RSB found that 71 out of the 86 (83%) studies found that father absence was positively associated with adolescent RSB. Founded upon the systematic review, a meta-analysis of 24 studies that measured adolescent RSB through early age at first sexual intercourse (FSI) was conducted. The studies were examined together, and then disaggregated by design, those that examined timing of father absence; large sample investigations; and those that sampled from low SES populations. Risk of bias was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. All analyses evidenced a significant, positive relationship between father absence and adolescent RSB, with early father absence (birth to 5 years) shown to be the most potent predictor, conferring three and a half times the risk.

The thesis then examined data from an Australian prospective birth cohort study - the ‘Raine Study’. At the 16/17-year followup, 1152 respondents reported on early FSI (<16 years). Father absence was found to have a significant, positive association with early FSI, after controlling for gender, SES, maternal age, maternal education, maternal mental health, child mental health, maternal AOD use, child AOD use, child engagement with school, and family functioning. Strengths, limitations and implications for future research, policy and practice were discussed.