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Mara Brendgen, PhD, Brigitte Wanner, PhD and Frank Vitaro, PhD

At the time of the study, Mara Brendgen was with the Department of Psychology, University of Quebec, Montreal. Brigitte Wanner was with the Research Unit on Children’s Psychosocial Maladjustment, University of Montreal, Montreal. Frank Vitaro was with the Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamengue.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Mara Brendgen, University of Quebec at Montreal, Department of Psychology, CP 8888, succ. Centreville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3P8 (e-mail: Brendgen.Mara{at}uqam.ca).

Objectives. We examined the links between peer rejection and verbal abuse by a teacher during childhood with the early onset of sexual intercourse and the mediating role of delinquent behavior and low self-esteem in this context.

Methods. We assessed 312 students (159 girls) in northwestern Quebec annually from kindergarten through seventh grade. Peer identifications were used to assess peer rejection and verbal abuse by teachers from kindergarten through fourth grade. In seventh grade, self-reports were used to assess delinquent behavior, self-esteem, and having sexual intercourse. Multiple sources were used to assess control variables.

Results. Multiple imputation-based linear and logistic regressions showed that peer rejection was indirectly associated with a higher risk of early intercourse by its link with lower self-esteem, but only for girls. Verbal abuse by teachers during childhood was directly associated with a higher risk of early sexual intercourse and indirectly by its link with delinquent behavior.

Conclusions. The results underline the importance of both peers and teachers in healthy sexual development among youths, especially for girls, and emphasize the need for targeted health and sexual education programs.

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