Trajectories of Sexual Orientation from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: Results from a Community-Based Urban Sample of Girls

摘要

PurposeTo examine the longitudinal cohesion and stability of sexual minority status indicators. MethodsThe sample comprised 2,450 girls recruited from the city of Pittsburgh at ages 5–8 years. Sexual attraction, sexual partnering, romantic partnering, and sexual orientation identity were assessed between 14 and 22 years. ResultsRepeated measures latent class analysis identified three sexual minority trajectories: primarily other-sex oriented (n?=?716), primarily same-sex oriented (n?=?90), and bisexually oriented (n?=?235). Sexual minority status indicators displayed fluidity over time but cohered within latent classes. ConclusionsWithin this large sample of girls, several distinct sexuality trajectories emerged. Trajectories are relatively stable from adolescence to young adulthood.