Kathryn Tillman | Florida State University (original) (raw)
Papers by Kathryn Tillman
Social Currents
We use data from a random sample of students collected at two large public universities, one in t... more We use data from a random sample of students collected at two large public universities, one in the Midwestern region and one in the Southeastern region of the U.S., to document the prevalence of self-reported “interracial” romantic relationships (SR-IRRs) and the extent to which self-identifications differ from researcher-defined categorizations that label as “interracial/interethnic” all partnerships that cross racial or Latino/Hispanic ethnic boundaries (RD-IRRs). Our findings show that a substantial percentage of students in relationships that cross racial/ethnic lines do not identify them as “interracial.” As a result, measures of SR-IRR and RD-IRR produce very different prevalence figures for cross-group relationships (SR-IRR = 18% of respondents; RDIRR = 24%). The disjuncture between self-reports and researcher-defined categorizations is particularly pronounced for Hispanics and, to a lesser degree, non-Hispanic Whites. The consistency with which relationships that include no...
We examine immigrant generation differences in college attendance and college type among youth ag... more We examine immigrant generation differences in college attendance and college type among youth ages 18 through 26 who have graduated from a U.S. high school. Results indicate that first-and second-generation immigrants are significantly more likely to attend college than their third-plus generation counterparts of similar race/ethnicity, socioeconomic and family background characteristics. While parental behaviors and expectations for college attendance do not significantly mediate these generational differences, these factors appear to indirectly affect college-going behavior through their impact on students ’ verbal ability and academic achievement during high school. Interaction models including race/ethnicity and generation status reveal that the second-generation effects on college attendance are largely driven by Chinese youth, whereas the first-generation effects on college attendance are largely driven by black immigrant students.
Marriage and Health, 2020
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2011
CONTEXT: Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of same‐sex sexual activity among te... more CONTEXT: Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of same‐sex sexual activity among teenagers and young adults, particularly those who do not identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Effective interventions to prevent STDs require accurate understanding of youths’ sexual behavior. METHODs: Descriptive and regression analyses of data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth examined patterns and correlates of same‐sex sexual activity among a sample of 2,688 never‐married, noncohabiting men and women aged 15–21. Same‐sex behavior was assessed separately by gender, as well as by heterosexual experience and sexual attraction and identity. RESULTS: Eleven percent of women and 4% of men reported same‐sex sexual experience. Youth who were attracted only to the opposite sex had a decreased likelihood of reporting same‐sex activity (rate ratio, 0.1 for each gender), while women and men who identified themselves as homosexual or bisexual had an elevated likelihood of ...
Journal of Adolescent Health
... Brewster, KL and Tillman, KH , 2009-08-08 "Minority Sexual Orientation and Substance Use... more ... Brewster, KL and Tillman, KH , 2009-08-08 "Minority Sexual Orientation and Substance Use among Adolescents and Young Adults" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, Hilton San Francisco, San Francisco, CA ...
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Theories of sexual identity development recognize the initiation of sexual experience with same-s... more Theories of sexual identity development recognize the initiation of sexual experience with same-sex partners (SESSP) to be a significant event in the coming-out process, yet the research literature lacks a population-based description of its timing and variation across population subgroups. Using data from the 2011-2017 National Survey of Family Growth and guided by the life course paradigm, we explored the timing and correlates of first SESSP among individuals (1425 women; 545 men) who identified as lesbian (n = 307), gay (n = 285), or bisexual (n = 1378) (LGB). Descriptive findings revealed that the median age at first SESSP was about 19 years for lesbian women and gay men and one to two years later for bisexual women and men. Notably, initiation of SESSP occurred over a wide age range, particularly among bisexual men. Multivariable results indicated that the probability of first SESSP did not vary by demographic characteristics or family background among men. Among women, nativity status, family stability, and independent living were associated with probability of first SESSP. Coital experience predicted timing among both women and men. Tests for statistical interactions suggested that age at first SESSP was contingent on mother's education (women), sexual identity (men), family stability (men), and birth cohort (women and men). Our findings highlight the complicated nature of LGB sexual experiences, and we end with a call for greater effort to ensure that LGB individuals are represented in national surveys designed to provide data on sexual and reproductive health.
Journal of Adolescent Health
Annual Review of Sociology
Sociological research has long recognized the important role that intimate relationships play in ... more Sociological research has long recognized the important role that intimate relationships play in young people's lives. In recent decades, relationship formation patterns and relationship trajectories during the early years of adulthood have become increasingly diverse and complex. In recognition of this, we review contemporary research on sexual and romantic relationships among young adults in the United States, noting how relationship attitudes, expectations, and experiences have changed in response to broader social and economic developments and how they vary by gender, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and sexual identity. Data and methodological limitations are also considered. We conclude by identifying promising directions for future sociological research and data collection efforts.
Journal of Family Issues
Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this research examines the a... more Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this research examines the association between timing of oral sex initiation and marital and cohabiting relationship satisfaction among young adults. Findings indicate that women who transition to oral sex “late” or who have no oral sex experience report higher levels of relationship satisfaction in their current coresidential unions than do women who transition at a “normative” age. Higher levels of relationship satisfaction among women who transition “late,” however, appear to be explained by their lower likelihood of experiencing forced sexual relations and sexually transmitted infections. We find no evidence of any association between timing of oral sex initiation and relationship satisfaction among men. To best promote healthy relationships, researchers, practitioners, and educators need to better understand the various types of sexual activities in which young people engage.
This research examines the role of peer context in the adaptation processes of immigrant youth us... more This research examines the role of peer context in the adaptation processes of immigrant youth using data from the National Longitudinal Studyof Adolescent Health (Add Health). We document,differentials in school achievement,and behavior by immigrant status and explore peer composition and peer climate factors as potential mediating mechanisms,that may explain segmented,assimilation processes of immigrant youth. Consistent with prior research on
American Anthropologist, 2001
The Blackwell Companion to Sociology
High quality social science data and resources are increasingly available on the Internet. The pu... more High quality social science data and resources are increasingly available on the Internet. The purposes of this appendix are to aid sociologists and other social scientists in their search for data and resources, and to promote international, comparative, and interdisciplinary research. Most web sites listed have been developed and are maintained by major research centers and government agencies. They were selected for inclusion because of the quality of their data, clear documentation, usefulness to researchers, and the likelihood of their long-term stability. However, as the Internet is constantly changing, the permanence of these web sites and their addresses, as well as the comprehensiveness of this listing, cannot be guaranteed. This appendix is divided into three sections: (a) resources and locators that provide general information and links to web sites; (b) specific databases, archives, and data sets listed alphabetically by country (or Europe and international); and (c) an alphabetical listing of web sites by topic.
Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2017
There has been growing attention to the influence of youths' sexual experiences on alcohol use an... more There has been growing attention to the influence of youths' sexual experiences on alcohol use and other health-risk behaviors. Yet, because of the cross-sectional nature of many studies, as well as the likelihood of alcohol use and sexual behaviors to co-occur, the question of whether initiation of sexual activity tends to precede engagement in other behaviors, like binge drinking, remains largely unanswered. Using data from 4726 respondents who participated in Waves I through IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we examined the association between age at first intercourse and frequent binge drinking during one's mid-twenties and early thirties. We further explored whether this relationship was mediated or moderated by the rate at which individuals accumulated sex partners during the transition to adulthood. Findings showed for women and men, later ages at first intercourse were associated with lower odds of frequent binge drinking in young adulthood. While rate of sex partner accumulation partially mediated this association, it did not moderate it. Furthermore, rate of partner accumulation was positively associated with binge drinking,particularly among women, with a quicker accumulation of sex partners associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in frequent binge drinking. Our findings underscore the importance of considering multiple dimensions of a single behavior and their relation to subsequent health-related behaviors.
Social Science Research, 2016
Sociological Inquiry, 2007
Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2015
There has been growing attention to the influence of youths' sexual experiences on alcoho... more There has been growing attention to the influence of youths' sexual experiences on alcohol use and other health-risk behaviors. Yet, because of the cross-sectional nature of many studies, as well as the likelihood of alcohol use and sexual behaviors to co-occur, the question of whether initiation of sexual activity tends to precede engagement in other behaviors, like binge drinking, remains largely unanswered. Using data from 4726 respondents who participated in Waves I through IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we examined the association between age at first intercourse and frequent binge drinking during one's mid-twenties and early thirties. We further explored whether this relationship was mediated or moderated by the rate at which individuals accumulated sex partners during the transition to adulthood. Findings showed for women and men, later ages at first intercourse were associated with lower odds of frequent binge drinking in young adulthood. While rate of sex partner accumulation partially mediated this association, it did not moderate it. Furthermore, rate of partner accumulation was positively associated with binge drinking, particularly among women, with a quicker accumulation of sex partners associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in frequent binge drinking. Our findings underscore the importance of considering multiple dimensions of a single behavior and their relation to subsequent health-related behaviors.
Sociological Perspectives, 2008
This study examines the effects of living with " nontraditional" siblings (i.e., step-and/or half... more This study examines the effects of living with " nontraditional" siblings (i.e., step-and/or half-siblings) on the verbal ability scores, grade point averages (GPAs), and college expectations of adolescents and whether sibling composition effects are moderated by family structure. On average, youth who live with step-or half-siblings report significantly poorer outcomes than youth who do not. The sibling composition effects on verbal ability scores and grades are similar in direction and magnitude across family types. The association between nontraditional siblings and the college expectations of youth, however, appear to be conditioned by family structure, such that youth living with two biological parents or single mothers are negatively affected by the presence of half-siblings and the expectations of youth living in stepfather families are negatively affected by the presence of step-siblings. The mechanisms underlying sibling composition effects on academic-related outcomes also vary by family structure.
... Tillman, KH and Keller, U. , 2007-08-11 "Nativity Status and Trajectories of Depressive ... more ... Tillman, KH and Keller, U. , 2007-08-11 "Nativity Status and Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Young Adults" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, TBA, New York, New York City Online <APPLICATION/PDF>. ...
Social Currents
We use data from a random sample of students collected at two large public universities, one in t... more We use data from a random sample of students collected at two large public universities, one in the Midwestern region and one in the Southeastern region of the U.S., to document the prevalence of self-reported “interracial” romantic relationships (SR-IRRs) and the extent to which self-identifications differ from researcher-defined categorizations that label as “interracial/interethnic” all partnerships that cross racial or Latino/Hispanic ethnic boundaries (RD-IRRs). Our findings show that a substantial percentage of students in relationships that cross racial/ethnic lines do not identify them as “interracial.” As a result, measures of SR-IRR and RD-IRR produce very different prevalence figures for cross-group relationships (SR-IRR = 18% of respondents; RDIRR = 24%). The disjuncture between self-reports and researcher-defined categorizations is particularly pronounced for Hispanics and, to a lesser degree, non-Hispanic Whites. The consistency with which relationships that include no...
We examine immigrant generation differences in college attendance and college type among youth ag... more We examine immigrant generation differences in college attendance and college type among youth ages 18 through 26 who have graduated from a U.S. high school. Results indicate that first-and second-generation immigrants are significantly more likely to attend college than their third-plus generation counterparts of similar race/ethnicity, socioeconomic and family background characteristics. While parental behaviors and expectations for college attendance do not significantly mediate these generational differences, these factors appear to indirectly affect college-going behavior through their impact on students ’ verbal ability and academic achievement during high school. Interaction models including race/ethnicity and generation status reveal that the second-generation effects on college attendance are largely driven by Chinese youth, whereas the first-generation effects on college attendance are largely driven by black immigrant students.
Marriage and Health, 2020
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2011
CONTEXT: Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of same‐sex sexual activity among te... more CONTEXT: Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of same‐sex sexual activity among teenagers and young adults, particularly those who do not identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Effective interventions to prevent STDs require accurate understanding of youths’ sexual behavior. METHODs: Descriptive and regression analyses of data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth examined patterns and correlates of same‐sex sexual activity among a sample of 2,688 never‐married, noncohabiting men and women aged 15–21. Same‐sex behavior was assessed separately by gender, as well as by heterosexual experience and sexual attraction and identity. RESULTS: Eleven percent of women and 4% of men reported same‐sex sexual experience. Youth who were attracted only to the opposite sex had a decreased likelihood of reporting same‐sex activity (rate ratio, 0.1 for each gender), while women and men who identified themselves as homosexual or bisexual had an elevated likelihood of ...
Journal of Adolescent Health
... Brewster, KL and Tillman, KH , 2009-08-08 "Minority Sexual Orientation and Substance Use... more ... Brewster, KL and Tillman, KH , 2009-08-08 "Minority Sexual Orientation and Substance Use among Adolescents and Young Adults" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, Hilton San Francisco, San Francisco, CA ...
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Theories of sexual identity development recognize the initiation of sexual experience with same-s... more Theories of sexual identity development recognize the initiation of sexual experience with same-sex partners (SESSP) to be a significant event in the coming-out process, yet the research literature lacks a population-based description of its timing and variation across population subgroups. Using data from the 2011-2017 National Survey of Family Growth and guided by the life course paradigm, we explored the timing and correlates of first SESSP among individuals (1425 women; 545 men) who identified as lesbian (n = 307), gay (n = 285), or bisexual (n = 1378) (LGB). Descriptive findings revealed that the median age at first SESSP was about 19 years for lesbian women and gay men and one to two years later for bisexual women and men. Notably, initiation of SESSP occurred over a wide age range, particularly among bisexual men. Multivariable results indicated that the probability of first SESSP did not vary by demographic characteristics or family background among men. Among women, nativity status, family stability, and independent living were associated with probability of first SESSP. Coital experience predicted timing among both women and men. Tests for statistical interactions suggested that age at first SESSP was contingent on mother's education (women), sexual identity (men), family stability (men), and birth cohort (women and men). Our findings highlight the complicated nature of LGB sexual experiences, and we end with a call for greater effort to ensure that LGB individuals are represented in national surveys designed to provide data on sexual and reproductive health.
Journal of Adolescent Health
Annual Review of Sociology
Sociological research has long recognized the important role that intimate relationships play in ... more Sociological research has long recognized the important role that intimate relationships play in young people's lives. In recent decades, relationship formation patterns and relationship trajectories during the early years of adulthood have become increasingly diverse and complex. In recognition of this, we review contemporary research on sexual and romantic relationships among young adults in the United States, noting how relationship attitudes, expectations, and experiences have changed in response to broader social and economic developments and how they vary by gender, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and sexual identity. Data and methodological limitations are also considered. We conclude by identifying promising directions for future sociological research and data collection efforts.
Journal of Family Issues
Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this research examines the a... more Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this research examines the association between timing of oral sex initiation and marital and cohabiting relationship satisfaction among young adults. Findings indicate that women who transition to oral sex “late” or who have no oral sex experience report higher levels of relationship satisfaction in their current coresidential unions than do women who transition at a “normative” age. Higher levels of relationship satisfaction among women who transition “late,” however, appear to be explained by their lower likelihood of experiencing forced sexual relations and sexually transmitted infections. We find no evidence of any association between timing of oral sex initiation and relationship satisfaction among men. To best promote healthy relationships, researchers, practitioners, and educators need to better understand the various types of sexual activities in which young people engage.
This research examines the role of peer context in the adaptation processes of immigrant youth us... more This research examines the role of peer context in the adaptation processes of immigrant youth using data from the National Longitudinal Studyof Adolescent Health (Add Health). We document,differentials in school achievement,and behavior by immigrant status and explore peer composition and peer climate factors as potential mediating mechanisms,that may explain segmented,assimilation processes of immigrant youth. Consistent with prior research on
American Anthropologist, 2001
The Blackwell Companion to Sociology
High quality social science data and resources are increasingly available on the Internet. The pu... more High quality social science data and resources are increasingly available on the Internet. The purposes of this appendix are to aid sociologists and other social scientists in their search for data and resources, and to promote international, comparative, and interdisciplinary research. Most web sites listed have been developed and are maintained by major research centers and government agencies. They were selected for inclusion because of the quality of their data, clear documentation, usefulness to researchers, and the likelihood of their long-term stability. However, as the Internet is constantly changing, the permanence of these web sites and their addresses, as well as the comprehensiveness of this listing, cannot be guaranteed. This appendix is divided into three sections: (a) resources and locators that provide general information and links to web sites; (b) specific databases, archives, and data sets listed alphabetically by country (or Europe and international); and (c) an alphabetical listing of web sites by topic.
Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2017
There has been growing attention to the influence of youths' sexual experiences on alcohol use an... more There has been growing attention to the influence of youths' sexual experiences on alcohol use and other health-risk behaviors. Yet, because of the cross-sectional nature of many studies, as well as the likelihood of alcohol use and sexual behaviors to co-occur, the question of whether initiation of sexual activity tends to precede engagement in other behaviors, like binge drinking, remains largely unanswered. Using data from 4726 respondents who participated in Waves I through IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we examined the association between age at first intercourse and frequent binge drinking during one's mid-twenties and early thirties. We further explored whether this relationship was mediated or moderated by the rate at which individuals accumulated sex partners during the transition to adulthood. Findings showed for women and men, later ages at first intercourse were associated with lower odds of frequent binge drinking in young adulthood. While rate of sex partner accumulation partially mediated this association, it did not moderate it. Furthermore, rate of partner accumulation was positively associated with binge drinking,particularly among women, with a quicker accumulation of sex partners associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in frequent binge drinking. Our findings underscore the importance of considering multiple dimensions of a single behavior and their relation to subsequent health-related behaviors.
Social Science Research, 2016
Sociological Inquiry, 2007
Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2015
There has been growing attention to the influence of youths' sexual experiences on alcoho... more There has been growing attention to the influence of youths' sexual experiences on alcohol use and other health-risk behaviors. Yet, because of the cross-sectional nature of many studies, as well as the likelihood of alcohol use and sexual behaviors to co-occur, the question of whether initiation of sexual activity tends to precede engagement in other behaviors, like binge drinking, remains largely unanswered. Using data from 4726 respondents who participated in Waves I through IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we examined the association between age at first intercourse and frequent binge drinking during one's mid-twenties and early thirties. We further explored whether this relationship was mediated or moderated by the rate at which individuals accumulated sex partners during the transition to adulthood. Findings showed for women and men, later ages at first intercourse were associated with lower odds of frequent binge drinking in young adulthood. While rate of sex partner accumulation partially mediated this association, it did not moderate it. Furthermore, rate of partner accumulation was positively associated with binge drinking, particularly among women, with a quicker accumulation of sex partners associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in frequent binge drinking. Our findings underscore the importance of considering multiple dimensions of a single behavior and their relation to subsequent health-related behaviors.
Sociological Perspectives, 2008
This study examines the effects of living with " nontraditional" siblings (i.e., step-and/or half... more This study examines the effects of living with " nontraditional" siblings (i.e., step-and/or half-siblings) on the verbal ability scores, grade point averages (GPAs), and college expectations of adolescents and whether sibling composition effects are moderated by family structure. On average, youth who live with step-or half-siblings report significantly poorer outcomes than youth who do not. The sibling composition effects on verbal ability scores and grades are similar in direction and magnitude across family types. The association between nontraditional siblings and the college expectations of youth, however, appear to be conditioned by family structure, such that youth living with two biological parents or single mothers are negatively affected by the presence of half-siblings and the expectations of youth living in stepfather families are negatively affected by the presence of step-siblings. The mechanisms underlying sibling composition effects on academic-related outcomes also vary by family structure.
... Tillman, KH and Keller, U. , 2007-08-11 "Nativity Status and Trajectories of Depressive ... more ... Tillman, KH and Keller, U. , 2007-08-11 "Nativity Status and Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Young Adults" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, TBA, New York, New York City Online <APPLICATION/PDF>. ...