Sexually Abused Male Adolescents: How Vulnerable Are They?

• NCJ Number: 169115
• Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (1997) Pages: 1-16
• Author(s): J M Chandy; R W Blum; M D Resnick
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the suicidal involvement, disordered eating behaviors, sexual risk-taking, delinquent behaviors, substance use, and school performance of male teenagers with a reported history of sexual abuse.

Abstract

Data were derived from the Adolescent Health Survey conducted in Minnesota during the 1986-87 school year, with a sample of over 36,000 7th-12th grade public school students. Index group members included 370 males who reported in the survey that they were ever sexually abused. The control group was comprised of an equal number of male teenagers randomly selected and matched for age and gender from among those who did not report a history of sexual abuse. Only in one of six items pertinent to school performance were subjects with a history of sexual abuse significantly different from controls; there was no inter-group difference in overall school drop-out risk. As hypothesized, male adolescents with a history of sexual abuse had significantly higher suicidal ideation and behavior than controls; the former group also scored higher on overall suicide risk. The index sample was significantly different from the control group in three of the eight indicators of disordered eating, namely, binging, non-stop eating, and dieting. Significantly higher proportions of the abused subjects indicated ever having sexual intercourse, more frequent sexual intercourse, and ever causing a pregnancy. The abused subjects also indicated more frequent use of tobacco and marijuana and were significantly more involved in vandalism, group fighting, stealing, running away from home, and prostitution. Among index group members, protective factors against adverse correlates included a higher maternal education, emotional well-being, and perceived caring from parents. Risk factors that increased the likelihood of adverse correlates included perceived substance use in school and family stresses. 3 tables and 56 references