Related Experiment Videos
Adolescent sexual aggression: risk and protective factors
I W Borowsky1, M Hogan, M Ireland
1Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
Pediatrics
|May 19, 1998
Summary
Adolescent sexual aggression is linked to abuse, substance use, and gang involvement. Emotional health and social connections protect males, while academic success protects females from perpetrating sexual violence.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent psychology
- Criminology
- Public health
Background:
- Sexual aggression among adolescents is under-researched in nonclinical settings.
- Identifying risk and protective factors is crucial for prevention efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk and protective factors associated with sexual violence perpetration in male and female adolescents.
- To inform prevention strategies targeting at-risk youth.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the 1992 Minnesota Student Survey data from 71,594 9th and 12th graders.
- Comparison of students reporting sexual violence perpetration versus those who had not.
- Separate logistic regression analyses for males and females.
Main Results:
- Sexual aggression was reported by 4.8% of males and 1.3% of females.
- Risk factors included prior abuse, witnessing family violence, drug/alcohol use, gang membership, and high-risk behaviors.
- Protective factors for males: emotional health, social connectedness; for females: academic achievement.
Conclusions:
- Sexual violence perpetration in adolescents is associated with identifiable risk and protective factors.
- Targeted interventions are needed for at-risk individuals.
- Healthcare professionals can identify and refer at-risk adolescents through psychosocial assessments.