Dating violence and the sexual health of black adolescent females.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the association between having a history of dating violence and the sexual health of adolescent females.


METHODS
Black adolescent females (n = 522) completed a survey that assessed dating violence, defined as ever having a physically abusive boyfriend, and an interview that assessed sexual behaviors.


RESULTS
Dating violence was reported by 18.4% of adolescents (n = 96). Adolescents with a history of dating violence were, in the past 6 months, 2.8 times more likely to have a sexually transmitted disease, 2.8 times more likely to have nonmonogamous male partners, and half as likely to use condoms consistently. Furthermore, adolescents with a history of dating violence were significantly more likely to fear the perceived consequences of negotiating condom use (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8); fear talking with their partner about pregnancy prevention (OR = 2.6); have a higher perceived risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease (OR = 2.1); perceive less control over their sexuality (OR = 2.4); have peer norms nonsupportive of using condoms (OR = 3.1); and have norms nonsupportive of having a healthy relationship (OR = 2.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents who have experienced dating violence are more likely to exhibit a spectrum of unhealthy sexual behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and norms.
Wingood
G M
GM
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. gwingoo@sph.emory.edu
DiClemente
R J
RJ
McCree
D H
DH
Harrington
K
K
Davies
S L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology