Assaf Oshri1, Elizabeth D Handley2, Tara E Sutton3, Sanne Wortel4, Mandi L Burnette5. 1. Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. Electronic address: oshria@uga.edu. 2. Mount Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York. 3. Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. 4. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut. 5. Mount Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To examine mechanisms underlying the development of sexual health risk behaviors in sexual minority girls (SMGs) and its association with sexual victimization. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods cohorts, aged 15 and 18 years (N = 391; 54 SMGs). RESULTS: Sexual minority girls reported more sexual victimization and steeper positive trajectories of substance misuse over time than heterosexual girls. Growth in alcohol use during adolescence mediated the link between SMG status and past year number of partners, whereas growth in marijuana use mediated the link between SMG status and self-reported sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Adding unwanted sexual experiences to the models resulted in a reduction of significance in the direct or indirect effects from SMG status on the sexual health outcomes. Unwanted sexual experiences emerged as a robust predictor directly and indirectly related to past-year number of partners via growth in alcohol use. Unwanted sexual experiences also directly predicted STD history. CONCLUSIONS: The increased risk of SMGs for alcohol and marijuana during adolescence, higher rates of sexual partners, and STD diagnosis may also be linked to their significant risk for sexual victimization. Findings highlight the importance of preventive interventions targeting victimization of SMGs. Published by Elsevier Inc.
PURPOSE: To examine mechanisms underlying the development of sexual health risk behaviors in sexual minority girls (SMGs) and its association with sexual victimization. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods cohorts, aged 15 and 18 years (N = 391; 54 SMGs). RESULTS: Sexual minority girls reported more sexual victimization and steeper positive trajectories of substance misuse over time than heterosexual girls. Growth in alcohol use during adolescence mediated the link between SMG status and past year number of partners, whereas growth in marijuana use mediated the link between SMG status and self-reported sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Adding unwanted sexual experiences to the models resulted in a reduction of significance in the direct or indirect effects from SMG status on the sexual health outcomes. Unwanted sexual experiences emerged as a robust predictor directly and indirectly related to past-year number of partners via growth in alcohol use. Unwanted sexual experiences also directly predicted STD history. CONCLUSIONS: The increased risk of SMGs for alcohol and marijuana during adolescence, higher rates of sexual partners, and STD diagnosis may also be linked to their significant risk for sexual victimization. Findings highlight the importance of preventive interventions targeting victimization of SMGs. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Entities:
Keywords:
Health risk behavior; Human immunodeficiency virus risk; Sexual minority girls; Sexual victimization
Authors: Michael P Marshal; Gina Sucato; Stephanie D Stepp; Alison Hipwell; Helen A Smith; Mark S Friedman; Tammy Chung; Nina Markovic Journal: J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol Date: 2011-11-03 Impact factor: 1.814
Authors: Michael P Marshal; Kevin M King; Stephanie D Stepp; Alison Hipwell; Helen Smith; Tammy Chung; Mark S Friedman; Nina Markovic Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2011-07-27 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Mark S Friedman; Michael P Marshal; Thomas E Guadamuz; Chongyi Wei; Carolyn F Wong; Elizabeth Saewyc; Ron Stall Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2011-06-16 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Michael P Marshal; Chad M Burton; Deena J Chisolm; Gina S Sucato; Mark S Friedman Journal: Clin Transl Sci Date: 2013-04-19 Impact factor: 4.689
Authors: Michelle L Kelley; Sarah J Ehlke; Robin J Lewis; Abby L Braitman; Wendy Bostwick; Kristin E Heron; Cathy Lau-Barraco Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2017-12-26 Impact factor: 2.164
Authors: Lilia Espinoza; Jean L Richardson; Kristin Ferguson; Chih-Ping Chou; Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati; Alan W Stacy Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2019-01-17 Impact factor: 2.164