Psychological, Behavioral, and Social Characteristics Associated With Early Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Pregnant Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 155631
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 188-200
• Author(s): J B Lanz
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA05208
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In this study of the patterns of substance use and sexual behavior among pregnant adolescent women under the age of 18, the data were examined for associations between a history of early forced sexual intercourse and indicators of psychological, behavioral, and social problems during adolescence.

Abstract

The study was a secondary analysis of information obtained between June 1988 and January 1990 from the initial interview administered in a longitudinal survey that explored drug use among pregnant and parenting unmarried adolescent women. The subjects were 241 single, pregnant adolescents, aged 17 years or younger, living in a large metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest. The dichotomous dependent variable, victimization status, was defined by the subjects' self-reported experience with early forced sexual intercourse. The discriminating variables measured were indicators of problems, also reported by subjects, that fell into three categories: indicators of psychological problems (anxiety, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, and self-esteem); indicators of behavioral problems (school problems, drug use, and delinquent involvement); and indicators of social problems (stability and quality of personal relationships). The findings show that many pregnant adolescent women have experienced early forced sexual intercourse and that the experience has had a measurable effect on their functioning during adolescence. Compared to reported nonvictims, reported victims were more depressed, anxious, and self-conscious; had lower self-esteem; used more crack, cocaine, and other drugs (excluding marijuana); and engaged in a higher number of delinquent activities. Additionally, they moved more often, experienced poorer quality family relationships, and felt that they had received less emotional support from family and friends over the past year. Discriminant function analysis succeeded in distinguishing reported victims from nonvictims 67 percent of the time. 4 tables, 1 figure, and 35 references