Associations between Dating Violence and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors among Male and Female Older Adolescents

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate associations between adolescent dating violence victimization (DV) and high-risk sexual behaviors. Males (n = 71) and females (n = 189) reporting DV were compared to 671 males and 720 females (overall mean age 20.4 years) reporting no DV on high-risk sexual behaviors (casual sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, no contraceptive use, unprotected intercourse). DV was reported by 9.6% males and 20.8% females. All males reporting both physical and sexual DV acknowledged high-risk sexual behavior. Furthermore, most female peers (75.2%) reporting physical and sexual DV acknowledged high-risk sexual behavior. Health programs and care professionals should target violence prevention and contraception education, and promote early intervention to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors, particularly among those reporting dating violence.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• sexual abuse
• mental health
• prevention
• medical issues

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Grant R40 MC 00319-02 (Neumark-Sztainer, principal investigator) from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.