Adolescent Girls’ Offending and Health-Risking Sexual Behavior: The Predictive Role of Trauma

Abstract

Several studies have highlighted high levels of risk for girls who have been exposed to traumatic experiences, but little is known about the exact relationship between traumatic experiences and problems with delinquency and health-risking sexual behavior (e.g., precipitory and/or exacerbatory roles). However, numerous short-and long-term detrimental effects have been linked to trauma, delinquency, and health-risking sexual behavior. The utility of diagnostic and experiential trauma measures in predicting the greatest risk for poor outcomes for delinquent girls was examined in this study. Results indicate that the experiential measures of trauma (cumulative and composite trauma scores) significantly predicted adolescent offending and adolescent health-risking sexual behavior, whereas the diagnostic measures of trauma (full and partial diagnostic criteria) did not. Adolescent Girls' Offending and Health-Risking Sexual Behavior: The Predictive Role of TraumaExposure to a traumatic event can result in significant psychological disturbance. Common symptoms include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other anxiety disorders, depressive symptoms, and a variety of behavioral problems (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1998). Furthermore, untreated PTSD symptoms and trauma experiences have been associated with numerous debilitating outcomes (Mullen, Martin, Anderson, Romans, & Herbison, 1996;Neumann, Houskamp, Pollock, & Briere, 1996). Youths meeting full or partial criteria for PTSD are significantly more likely to experience serious behavioral, emotional, and health-related problems (Giaconia et al., 1995) and, when not effectively treated, tend to be at risk for experiencing similar or exacerbated problems in adulthood (Briere & Runtz, 1993;Browne & Finkelhor, 1986;Goodwin, 1988;Kendall-Tackett, Williams, & Finkelhor, 1993;Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, Hughes, & Nelson, 1995;Kolko, 1996;Lindberg & Distad, 1985;Roesler & McKenzie, 1994;Rowan & Foy, 1993). Therefore, developing strategies for early, accurate identification of those at high risk is crucial.Research has identified a link between early childhood trauma and high rates of health-risking sexual behavior, conduct problems, and criminal offending in adolescence (Brener, McMahon,

Sugar and spice and everything nice? Exploring institutional misconduct among serious and violent female delinquents

“…Related, each of these consequences may give way to self-destructive behaviors via high risk lifestyles such as running away, participation in high risk sexual activities, and involvement in substance abuse as a way to cope with negative life experiences (Chen, Tyler, Whitbeck, & Hoyt, 2004;Tyler, Hoyt, Whitbeck, & Cauce, 2001). These experiences, particularly traumatic sexual experiences, may also result in violence against family members and others Smith, Leve, & Chamberlain, 2006;Wesley, 2006).…”

Methamphetamine Use and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors among Incarcerated Female Adolescents with a Diagnosed STD

“…15 Incarcerated girls also report more traumas such as sexual abuse and rape 16 or mental health disorders than incarcerated boys, factors that are also associated with risky sexual behavior among girls. 17 Incarcerated girls also report more sexual and drug-related risk behaviors and initiate them at younger ages than incarcerated boys. 18 Such behaviors include multiple sex partners, exchanging sex for money or drugs and unprotected sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.…”

Childhood Trauma Experience and the Expression of Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Adolescents in State Custody

“…Exposure to adverse childhood experiences, such as physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, witnessing of domestic violence, or living with an adult family member who is a substance abuser, imprisoned, suicidal, or mentally ill have all been linked to having a higher involvement in risky sexual behaviors (Griffin, Martinovich, Gawron, & Lyons, 2009;Hillis, Anda, Felitti, & Marchbanks, 2001;Merrick, Litrownik, Everson, Cox, Silovsky, & Letourneau, 2008;Smith, Leve, & Chamberlain, 2006). The most common finding is that sexual abuse elevates the risk of an adolescent having an early or unintended pregnancy (Erdmans & Black, 2008), early intercourse, multiple partners (Fergusson, Horwood, & Lynskey, 1997;Stock, Bell, Boyer, & Connell, 1997;Raj, Silverman, & Amaro, 2000), an elevated risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) (Lodico & DiClemente, 1994), an abortion (Green et al, 1994), or intercourse without contraceptives (Boyer & Fine, 1992).…”