Sexual abuse and sexual risk behavior: beyond the impact of psychiatric problems.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the association between sexual abuse (SA) and sex risk in girls and boys placed in alternative and therapeutic school settings while controlling for psychiatric problems.


METHODS
Adolescents were recruited from alternative and therapeutic schools. Youth completed audio computer-assisted self-interviews assessing childhood abuse, sexual behaviors, sexual attitudes, and psychiatric symptoms.


RESULTS
Of the 162 youth with available data, 23% reported a moderate or severe SA history. After controlling for gender and the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis, youth with a SA history were significantly more likely to have engaged in sex, had sex in the last 90 days, and engaged in unprotected sex. Adolescents with a history of SA also endorsed fewer advantages of using condoms.


CONCLUSIONS
SA is uniquely associated with sexual behavior and attitudes even when adjusting for the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis. These data have implications for interventions for those with SA histories.
Houck
Christopher D
CD
Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center, One Hoppin Street, Suite 204, Providence, RI 02903, USA. chouck@lifespan.org
Nugent
Nicole R
NR
Lescano
Celia M
CM
Peters
April
A
Brown
Larry K
LK
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004519:Education, Special; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult