Findings from the survival analysis showed that second-degree biological relatives of alcohol dependent individuals (nieces, nephews, or grandchildren) were at greater risk for sexual debut at age 16 or younger than comparison participants. These relatives, along with the children of alcohol dependent parents, may be exposed to multiple adverse environmental conditions within their homes and/or neighborhoods that place them at heightened risk for early sexual debut and potentially other negative behavioral outcomes. This relationship is also likely to reflect the shared genetic vulnerabilities noted above.
