
ERIC Number: EJ760943
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 14
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0001-8449
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Relationship between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Sexual Health Practices of Homeless Adolescents
Johnson, Regina Jones; Rew, Lynn; Sternglanz, R. Weylin
Adolescence (San Diego): an international quarterly devoted to the physiological, psychological, psychiatric, sociological, and educational aspects of the second decade of human life, v41 n162 p221-234 Sum 2006
This study explored the gender differences in sexual self-concept, personal resources for sexual health, safe sex behaviors, and risky sexual behaviors among homeless adolescents with and 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 and 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 out that female participants were better off than males on numerous measures of sexual health behaviors and attitudes. Sexually abused participants had significantly less future time perspective (p = 0.05), fewer sexual self-care behaviors (p = 0.04), and less social support than nonabused participants (p = 0.01) and almost significantly more sexual risk-taking (p = 0.08). However, no significant differences were found between abused and 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 and 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 and be screened regularly for the development of sexual risk behaviors. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Disease Control, Adolescents, Time Perspective, Self Efficacy, Sexual Abuse, Males, Gender Differences, Health Behavior, Homeless People, Sexuality, Self Concept, At Risk Persons, Young Adults, Adolescent Attitudes, Correlation
Libra Publishers Inc. 3089C Clairemont Drive PMB 383, San Diego, CA 92117. Tel: 858-571-1414
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A