摘要: The 1996 Welfare Reform Legislation and its reauthorization in 2002 included financial provisions for programs promoting sexual abstinence until marriage. Under this legislation, are encouraged to teach that nonmarital sex is likely have harmful psychological effects. Life course concepts identity theory suggest may be consequential the mental health of some adolescents. Using National Longitudinal Study Adolescent Health, article investigates consequences adolescent sex. analyses reveal important contingencies effect first Timing relative age norms, romantic relationship factors, gender interact condition on health. While adolescents experience decrements, majority those who had did not. This finding highlights importance considering when investigating effects life events