Two-Year Trajectories of Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Drug-Using Adolescents and Emerging Adults in an Urban Community

Among 14–24 year-olds who used drugs and were recruited from an emergency department, we examined two-year trajectories of sexual risk behaviors. We hypothesized that those in higher risk trajectories would have more severe substance use, mental health concerns, and dating violence involvement at baseline. Analyses identified three behavioral trajectories. Individuals in the highest risk trajectory had a more severe profile of baseline alcohol use, marijuana use, dating violence involvement, and mental health problems. Future research will examine longitudinal differences in risk factors across trajectories. Understanding risk factors for sexual risk behavior trajectories can inform the delivery and tailoring of prevention interventions.