Perinatal violence assessment: teenagers' rationale for denying violence when asked.
OBJECTIVE
To describe teenagers' experiences with perinatal violence assessment.


METHODS
A descriptive design utilizing qualitative content analysis.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from gynecologic clinics of two level III maternity units and interviewed offsite.


METHODS
Twenty nonpregnant teenagers between the ages of 18 and 20 years who had experienced physical or sexual abuse in the year before or during (or both) a pregnancy occurring within the last 3 years were recruited for this study, regardless of past pregnancy outcome.


METHODS
Data were analyzed using categorical content analysis.


RESULTS
Participants reported a range of violence experiences from their parents, current and past intimate partners, and gangs (groups). Four categories emerged that addressed their reasons for not disclosing violence to their health care providers: Power/Powerlessness, Fear/Hope, Trust/Mistrust, and Action/Inertia.


CONCLUSIONS
Abused teenagers have unique needs and concerns that should be addressed when providing pregnancy care.
Renker
Paula Rinard
PR
The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. renker.6@osu.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D008192:Deception; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009013:Morale; D009042:Motivation; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009820:Ohio; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust