Effect of child abuse and neglect on risk behaviors in inner-city minority female adolescents and young adults

Abstract

BackgroundOver six million children each year are referred to child protective services for child abuse (sexual, physical and emotional) and neglect (physical and emotional). ObjectiveWhile the relationship between child sexual abuse and sexually transmitted infections has been documented, there has been little research regarding the effects of other forms of maltreatment. Participants and setting882 inner-city females aged 12–20 years of age seen at a large adolescent and young adult (AYA) health center in New York City between 2012–2017. MethodsHistory of maltreatment was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Associations with depressive symptoms, antisocial behavior, peer deviancy, drug/alcohol use, and risky sexual behaviors were assessed. ResultsHistory of maltreatment was common in our cohort of inner-city AYA females, with 59.6 % reporting any type of maltreatment, including sexual abuse (17.5 %), physical abuse (19.5 %) or neglect (26.2 %), and emotional abuse (30.7 %) or neglect (40.4 %). We observed significant associations between all forms of maltreatment and risk of depression, drug/alcohol use, antisocial behaviors, peer deviancy, and risky sexual risk behaviors (including having a higher number of sexual partners, having a sexual partner 5+ years older, and anal sex). Physical and emotional abuse were associated with having unprotected sex while under the influence of drugs/alcohol. Conclusions and relevanceReporting a history of maltreatment was associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in risky sexual and antisocial behaviors, as well as depression in inner-city female youth. These data highlight the broad, lingering repercussions of all types of child maltreatment.