Objective: To determine if verbal abuse from a boyfriend or steady partner may predispose an African-American female adolescent to engage in risky sexual behaviors. Methods: This study recruited 522 African-American females, ranging in ages 14-18, from low income neighborhoods with high rates of violence, teen pregnancy, and STDs. Adolescents completed a self-administered questionnaire and face-to-face interview, and were asked if they had ever been verbally abused by their boyfriend or steady partner. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR). Results: There were 119 or 22.8% reported cases of verbal abuse by boyfriends or steady partners towards African-American female adolescents. Compared to adolescents who did not report any verbal abuse from their partners, those who have experienced verbal abuse were more likely to have a boyfriend who has multiple sex partners (AOR=2.930, P < .001), more likely to not use condoms at all during sexual activity in the past 30 days (AOR=2.524, P < .001), and less likely to use condoms all the time during sexual activity during the last 30 days (AOR=.398, P < .001). Discussion: More attention has been paid to emotional and sexual abuse from boyfriends and steady partners. These findings suggest that verbal abuse may also contribute to high-risk sexual behaviors. Interventions should focus on what verbal abuse means to the African-American female adolescent, and its potential negative consequences.
Learning Objectives: Session participants will be able to identify and discuss the importance of addressing the consequences of exposure to verbal abuse by a significant sex partner.
Keywords: Risky Behaviors, Adolescent Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.