Adolescent Relationship Abuse Among Hospitalized Adolescents

We assessed adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) prevalence and ARA intervention acceptability and perceived benefit among hospitalized adolescents and young adults (AYA).

This was a planned secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey exploring sexual and reproductive health among a convenience sample of AYA (14-25 years) hospitalized in medical/surgical units at two Midwest children's hospitals. Survey items assessed history of dating, lifetime prevalence of four types of ARA (physical abuse, sexual abuse, reproductive coercion, sexual exploitation), and demographics.

Among 324 participants, 72.5% reported dating and, among those with history of dating, 17% reported one or more types of ARA. ARA was more common among those who reported foregone health care in the preceding 12 months. There was no difference in likelihood of dating and ARA between those with and without a chronic health condition. Approximately half felt it is helpful for clinicians to discuss dating relationships with adolescents (58.6%) and acceptable to do this during a hospitalization (50.6%). Conversations with clinicians about dating relationships were more likely to be reported helpful by those who had dated (63.9% reporting dating vs 50.6% not reporting dating, P 0.04) and those who reported prior ARA (79.5% reporting ARA vs 60.4% not reporting ARA, P 0.02).

Hospitalization may represent a unique opportunity to support healthy AYA dating relationships. Further work is needed to further explore acceptability and feasibility of such interventions.