Citation

Elze DE, Auslander W, McMillen C, Edmond T, Thompson R. AIDS Educ. Prev. 2001; 13(4): 377-389.

Affiliation

George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St Louis, MO 63130, USA. delze@gwbmail.wustl.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Guilford Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11565596

Abstract

This study investigates the interrelationships among childhood sexual abuse, other types of child maltreatment, emotional and behavioral problems, and HIV risk behaviors in a sample of 167 adolescents, aged 15-19, participating in an independent living preparation program in one midwestern county. Thirty-three percent of the youths identified as white and 67% as youths of color. The sample was almost evenly split by gender (51% male and 49% female). Thirty-five percent of the youths (n = 59) reported some form of sexual abuse; 21 reported unwanted touching, with no unwanted intercourse, and 38 reported unwanted intercourse. Multivariate analyses demonstrated a significant relationship between the severity of sexual abuse and youths' recent HIV risk behaviors, after accounting for the contribution of other childhood trauma and emotional and behavioral problems. The findings support the need for HIV prevention programs targeting sexually abused youths.

Language: en