Objective: This study examined potential psychosocial variables that may lead to greater likelihood of female adolescents getting involved in boyfriends or steady partners who are verbally abuse to them. Methods: Sexually active African-American female adolescents (N=522) completed an in-depth survey that assessed psychosocial variables related to a variety of adolescent health behaviors. Verbal abuse was measured by asking adolescents if they have ever experienced verbal abuse from a boyfriend or steady partner, and if so, whether they have experienced such abuse in the last 6 months. Results: Findings showed that 119 or 22.8% of adolescent females reported having experienced verbal abuse from their boyfriend or steady partner, and 44 or 8.4% experienced verbal abuse in the past 6 months. Significant predictors to verbal abuse included increased family support (AOR=1.669, P=.026), greater fear that their boyfriend or steady partner will leave them if the topic of pregnancy was brought up (AOR=4.639, P=.043), and increased unwillingness by their partner to use condoms during sexual activity (AOR=1.743, P=.021). These results were also consistent for adolescent females who experienced verbal abuse during the past 6 months. Discussion: A diverse set of predictors were associated with verbal abuse from a boyfriend or steady partner. Interventions used to highlight the causes of verbal abuse may benefit adolescent females by addressing the identified psychosocial correlates in this study.
Learning Objectives: Session participants will be able to identify and discuss the factors that predict exposure to verbal abuse by a significant sex partner.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Health Education Strategies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.