At-risk Female Adolescents Research Articles

A Multi-System Approach to Investigate Different Forms of Delinquency in Female Adolescents at Risk: Family, School, and Peers.

The delinquency of female adolescents at risk has increased conspicuously, much to the concern of human service and public health practitioners. Nevertheless, prior findings of pertinent research have commonly been based on samples of male or gender-mixed participants, especially general youths in the community. These cannot adequately explicate the impacts of different contextual systems on at-risk female adolescents, who are, in fact, more vulnerable to developing delinquency. Based on cross-sectional data collected from a sample of 236 at-risk female adolescents with the help of a large social work organization, the present study investigated and compared the effects of family, school, and peer systems on different forms of delinquency among at-risk female adolescents. The results show that positive family functioning, constructive school experiences, and deviant peer influence were predictive of both self-destructive and other-destructive delinquency in at-risk adolescent girls, respectively, but the effects were significantly different depending on which contextual systems influenced what forms of delinquency. Furthermore, the relationships between positive family functioning and both forms of delinquency were significantly mediated by the effects of constructive school experiences and deviant peer influence, giving support to the distal role of family and the proximal functions of school and peers in adolescence. Implications for policy prevention and interventions to strengthen the contextual supports in different social systems to help female adolescents at risk are discussed.

Gaming among female adolescents: profiling and psychopathological characteristics in the Indian context.

Gaming is a predominant leisure time activity among adolescents, and the literature suggests that unrestrained gaming behavior might lead to gaming disorder. ICD-11 and DSM-5 have recognized gaming disorder as a psychiatric condition and grouped it under the behavioral addiction category. Research on gaming behavior and addiction is largely based on data from the male population, and problematic gaming has largely been understood from the male perspective. In this study, we are attempting to bridge the existing lacuna in the literature by exploring gaming behavior, gaming disorder, and its related psychopathological characteristics among female adolescents in India. The study was conducted on a sample of 707 female adolescent participants who were contacted through schools and academic institutes in a city in Southern India. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design, and data were administered using the mixed modality of online and offline data collection. The participants filled out the following set of questionnaires: socio-demographic sheet, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and Brief sensation-seeking scale (BSSS-8). The data gathered from the participants were then statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 26. The descriptive statistics revealed that 0.8% of the sample (i.e., five participants out of 707) obtained scores meeting gaming addiction criteria. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between all the psychological variables with total IGD scale scores (p < 0.05). Total SDQ, total BSSS-8, and domain scores of SDQ, such as emotional symptoms, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems, were positively correlated, whereas total Rosenberg scores and domain scores of prosocial behaviors of SDQ were negatively correlated. The Mann-Whitney U-test was employed to compare "with gaming disorder" and "without gaming disorder" categories of female participants. Comparing these two groups revealed significant differences in emotional symptoms, conduct, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problem, and self-esteem scale scores. Furthermore, quantile regression was computed, showing that conduct, peer problem, and self-esteem displayed trend-level prediction for gaming disorder. Female adolescents prone to gaming addiction can be identified through psychopathological characteristics of conduct, peer problem, and low self-esteem. This understanding can be useful in developing a theoretical model focusing on early screening and preventive strategies for at-risk female adolescents.

Sexual abuse, psychological symptoms and hopelessness among runaway female adolescents in Turkey

ABSTRACT This seminal study from Turkey investigates sexual abuse (SA) victimization, psychological symptoms, and hopelessness in female adolescents with runaway behavior. A total of 76 female adolescent participants aged 15–18 completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Among these adolescents, 63.1% (n = 48) were victims of SA, 61.8% (n = 47) had a Global Severity Index (GSI) T-score of 63 or above, and 68.4% (n = 52) had moderate–severe hopelessness. Although there was no significant difference, the SA rate was higher in those who had experienced SA before running away. ‘Intrafamilial relationship problems’ and ‘SA-related factors’ were the most frequently reported reasons for runaway behavior. Victims of SA had significantly higher scores in all BSI subdimensions and global symptom severity than those previously not SA victims. The results suggest that high levels of psychological symptoms, hopelessness, history of SA, and poor parent–child relationships are possible factors that can describe female adolescents who have run away from home. Psychosocial prevention programs involving adolescents and parents are needed to prevent at-risk female adolescents from running away from home.

Predictors for Sexual Intercourse Experience among Runaway Female At-Risk Adolescents.

This study attempted to provide basic data for creating a program to help promote safe sexual behavior among runaway female at-risk adolescents by identifying factors related to the sexual experiences. This study conducted a logistic regression analysis using data regarding 182 female at-risk adolescents, which were sourced from the 2016 survey of Korean adolescents’ contact with media usage and harmful environment. This study showed that adolescents’ age, smoking, and harmful environments are associated with the occurrence of sexual activity among at-risk female adolescents. One significant outcome of this study was the identification of harmful environmental factors and their impact on sexual behavior. Since smoking and sex-related problems among adolescents can act as risk factors for adult sexual health in the future, schools should institute direct and indirect channels for assessing sex-related problems among runaway female at-risk adolescents and establishing proactive and preventive measures for promoting their sexual health. In addition, a social cooperation system should be established in order to assess, and mediate within, the environments around schools in order to minimize adolescents’ exposure to harmful environments.

High Frequency Hearing Sensitivity in Adolescent Females of a Lower Socioeconomic Status Over a Period of 24 Years (1985–2008)

To examine annually over a period of 24 years, the high frequency hearing sensitivity in different groups of urban female adolescents with a low socioeconomic status (SES) and residential foster care. Hearing screening (15 decibel [dB] hearing level ranging from 1,000 to 8,000 Hertz [Hz]) and threshold (>15 dB hearing level) records were obtained from 8,710 female adolescents (mean age, 15.8 years [range, 12-20 years]), predominantly Hispanic and African American from households with a low SES. Data related to the use of personal listening devices (PLDs), daily hours of usage, occurrence of tinnitus, and hearing thresholds between 1,000 and 8,000 Hz over an 8-year period (2001-2008) were obtained from the adolescents. High frequency hearing loss (HFHL) doubled over the 24-year period from 10.1% in 1985 to 19.2% in 2008. In comparison with the general adolescent population, this group of female adolescents presented with a higher percentage of bilateral mild or greater degrees of HFHL at two or more frequencies including 3,000, 4,000, and 6,000 Hz. Use of PLDs increased four-fold, from 18.3% (n = 68) in 2001 to 76.4% (n = 227) in 2008. Of the total number reporting tinnitus (n = 286), 99.7% (n = 285) also reported regular PLD use. A significant relationship was found between PLD use and reported tinnitus and HFHL irrespective of time of use of PLD. Increased incidence of HFHL, reported tinnitus, PLD use, and hours of daily use in at-risk female adolescents of a low SES was found. A frequency interval of 3,000-6,000 Hz should be included in hearing screening protocols to identify potentially disabling hearing loss. Hearing conservation strategies need to be developed and/or modified that target and reach at-risk children and adolescents.

Determinants of Adolescent Female Attendance at an HIV Risk Reduction Program

This study investigated attendance at an HIV-prevention randomized controlled trial for urban adolescent females. The intervention included four 2-hour sessions that were held at convenient community-based locations. Participants were recruited from reproductive and general health care clinics, as well as youth development programs. Of the 744 girls who consented to participate in the research study, 86% (n = 640) attended one or more of the risk reduction sessions, but 14% (n = 104) did not attend any sessions. Data analyses indicated that girls who attended were more likely to be younger, African American, and non-Hispanic. They also reported earlier sexual debut and more recent sexual partners. Results indicated that sexual risk reduction interventions are attractive to many at-risk female adolescents. Strategies to improve attendance are described for this vulnerable population subgroup.

HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Use Among Ontario Female Adolescent Sexual Assault Victims: A Prospective Analysis

This study examined the use of HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) among sexually assaulted adolescent females. We analyzed data from the HIV PEP Project, an implementation and evaluation of a program of universal offering of PEP to sexual assault victims of all ages. Baseline and follow-up data were collected prospectively from consecutive clients seen at 18 hospital-based sexual assault treatment centers in Ontario, Canada from September 2003 to January 2005. Among 386 at-risk female adolescents, we examined the provision and uptake of and adherence to PEP, and factors related to antiretroviral acceptance and completion. Most adolescents were single (94.5%), living with family (68.0%), and attending school (67.4%). Slightly over two-fifths (42.7%) accepted and one-third (33.6%) completed the 28-day course of PEP. Factors associated with PEP acceptance were health care provider encouragement, being a student, and being moderately-to-highly anxious. PEP completion was associated with being white and an assailant known less than 24 hours. Our findings highlight the importance of the health care provider's role in counseling sexually assaulted female adolescents about HIV PEP use. The results also suggest that at-risk adolescents not enrolled in school and those from culturally diverse backgrounds may require additional supports.

Contraceptive choices in HIV infected and HIV at-risk adolescent females.

To describe reported contraception use in HIV infected and HIV uninfected but at-risk female adolescents, and determine associations with the reported consistent use of effective contraception methods, including its association with pregnancy. HIV infected and at-risk female youth, aged 13-18 years, who were sexually active and reporting no intention to become pregnant, were included. Contraception use data from three consecutive visits (approximately 6 months apart) were used. Ninety-four percent of HIV infected and 89% of at-risk subjects reported choosing a main contraception method with demonstrated efficacy when used consistently. Approximately 50% chose partner condoms. HIV infected youth were more likely to report 100% partner condom use in the past 3 months (73% vs. 46%; OR 3.3; 95% CI: 1.7-5.6). At-risk youth were 2.5 times more likely than HIV infected subjects to report using nothing (95% CI: 1.1-5.8). Slightly more than half (56%) demonstrated the consistent reporting of effective methods (CREM) of contraception. In multivariate analysis, HIV infection (OR 4.0; 95% CI: 2.2-8.2) and African-American race (OR 2.7; 95% CI: 1.1-6.6) were significantly associated with CREM. Subjects reporting inconsistent or unreliable contraception use had higher 1-year pregnancy rates than CREM subjects (32% vs. 14%; p = .002). Only half of HIV infected and at-risk youth reported using effective contraception consistently, despite its availability. Additionally, regardless of reported contraceptive use, the rates of unplanned pregnancy were unacceptably high.