Demography

Sexual behavior

Sexually active

Chromatography

Social psychology

Developmental psychology

Economics

Discounting

Psychology

Demographic economics

Risky sexual behavior

Population

Sociology

Delay discounting

Reproductive health

Young adult

Impulsivity

Chemistry

Sample (material)

Consumption (sociology)

Finance

Social science

Journal of Risk and Uncertainty

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.

Discount rates and risky sexual behaviors among teenagers and young adults