Sexual behaviors and teen dating violence among black, hispanic, and white female adolescents

Teen dating violence has a profound impact on the reproductive and sexual health of adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in sexual behaviors among White, Black, and Hispanic adolescent females exposed to dating or sexual violence (DSV), using a secondary data analysis of the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The study also examines the interaction effect of exposure to DSV and race/ethnicity on sexual behaviors. Sexual behaviors included ever having sex; having sex before age 13; > 3 sexual partners in lifetime; multiple sexual partners in past 3 months; using drugs or alcohol before the most recent sexual encounter; using condom or birth control at last sexual encounter. The results show that sexual behaviors were significantly associated with both race/ethnicity and exposure to DSV, although exposure to DSV was a much stronger predictor. Additionally, the effect of DSV on condom use was more profound among Hispanic adolescents, while the effect of DSV on birth control use was more profound among both Black and Hispanic adolescents. These findings suggest that adolescent females exposed to dating and/or sexual violence are more likely to engage in sexual risk behaviors, thus increasing their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, STI transmission and unintended pregnancy. Adolescent health programs should address dating violence and sexual risk reduction simultaneously, with particular emphasis on birth control and condom use among ethnic minority populations. In addition, research on the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents should explore the unique contribution of dating violence on sexual risk behaviors.