Sexual self-concept in sexually abused homeless adolescents

Abstract

This study explored gender differences, sexual self-concept and life on the street among homeless adolescents who self-reported a history of sexual abuse. Individual interviews were conducted with 13 adolescents (six males and seven females) aged 18–20 years. There were salient themes shared by both males and females (vulnerability, sexual harassment, survival sex), and one theme specific to bisexual adolescents. Both males and females described aspects of their vulnerability related to being male or female. More than half the participants also described incidents of sexual harassment. In addition, both males and females stated that females needed the protection of males. Only one theme specific to youth with a bisexual orientation emerged related to the advantages of being bisexual. The findings indicate that sexual maturation takes place within the context of social and cognitive changes that can profoundly influence an individual's ability to develop a healthy sexual self-concept, including sexual awareness, sexual assertiveness, sexual self-efficacy, sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction and motivation to avoid risky sex. Further exploration related to sexual self-concept, the prevalence of sexual abuse and the impact of a sexual abuse history on the street life of homeless adolescents is warranted.