The Relationship Between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Sexual Health Practices of Homeless Adolescents
Description:
This study explored the gender differences in sexual self-concept, personal resources for sexual health, safe sex behaviors, & risky sexual behaviors among homeless adolescents with & without histories of sexual abuse. Data for this secondary analysis were collected in 2003 to 2004 in the first phase of a larger repeated-measures sexual health intervention study; 371 homeless youth between 16 & 23 years of age (M = 19.26, SD = 1.83) were recruited from a street outreach center. The majority (64.6%) of participants were males. Self-report instruments were completed at the outreach center via audio computer-assisted self-interview (A-CASI) format. It was found that female participants were better off than males on numerous measures of sexual health behaviors & attitudes. Sexually abused participants had significantly less future time perspective (p = .05), fewer sexual self-care behaviors (p = .04), & less social support than nonabused participants (p = .01) & almost significantly more sexual risk-taking (p = .08). However, no significant differences were found between abused & nonabused participants on sexual self-concept, self-efficacy or intention to use condoms, safe sex behaviors, AIDS knowledge, assertive communication, or self-efficacy to perform testicular/ breast self-exams. Overall, participants who did not report a history of sexual abuse had significantly more sexual health resources & engaged in fewer sex-risk behaviors than those who reported having been abused. These differences have notable implications for screening adolescents for a history of sexual abuse. Adolescents who report sexual abuse should receive risk counseling & be screened regularly for the development of sexual risk behaviors. Tables, References. (Adapted from abstract on ERIC)
Type of Resource:
Journal
Publication Date:
2006
Journal Name:
Adolescence
Volume:
41
Issue:
162
Pages:
221-234
Location:
San Diego