Late sexual transition: Achievement of developmental tasks and well-being in emerging adulthood.

This longitudinal study investigates the associations between late sexual transition (LST)—defined as first penile-vaginal intercourse at age 19 or older—and delays in achieving developmental tasks and psychological well-being in emerging adulthood among heterosexual individuals. Using annual data from ages 15 to 22 and assessments at age 25 from a sample of 268 participants in Québec, Canada, the study found that late sexual transitioners, particularly men, were more likely to still be in school, work fewer hours, be single, and have no children at age 25. Additionally, men with LST reported higher levels of depression, hostility, and other negative psychological symptoms, as well as lower self-esteem and happiness, compared to their on-time peers; these psychological differences were less pronounced among women. The findings highlight that LST is linked not only to delayed sexual initiation but also to broader developmental delays and lower well-being, with gendered social norms influencing these outcomes.