Citation

Houck CD, Nugent NR, Lescano CM, Peters A, Brown LK. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2010; 35(5): 473-483.

Affiliation

Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center, One Hoppin Street, Suite 204, Providence, RI 02903, USA. chouck@lifespan.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsp111

PMID

19966316

PMCID

PMC2910940

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between sexual abuse (SA) and sex risk in girls and boys placed in alternative and therapeutic school settings while controlling for psychiatric problems. METHOD: Adolescents were recruited from alternative and therapeutic schools. Youth completed audio computer-assisted self-interviews assessing childhood abuse, sexual behaviors, sexual attitudes, and psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 162 youth with available data, 23% reported a moderate or severe SA history. After controlling for gender and the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis, youth with a SA history were significantly more likely to have engaged in sex, had sex in the last 90 days, and engaged in unprotected sex. Adolescents with a history of SA also endorsed fewer advantages of using condoms. CONCLUSIONS: SA is uniquely associated with sexual behavior and attitudes even when adjusting for the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis. These data have implications for interventions for those with SA histories.

Language: en