ERIC Number: EJ1270214
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Nov
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Teen Sexual Behaviors: The Role of Self-Regulation and School-Related Factors
Song, Wei; Qian, Xueqin
Journal of School Health, v90 n11 p830-841 Nov 2020
Background: There is limited evidence addressing the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adolescent sexual risk behaviors and pregnancy. In this study, we examined whether individual and cumulative ACEs increased the risk of unhealthy sexual behaviors and adolescent pregnancy. To inform intervention efforts, potential mediating mechanisms focusing on youth developmental assets were examined to explain the association. Methods: Analyses included 88,815 (9th and 11th grade) students who completed the Minnesota Student Survey in the spring of 2016. Results: Adolescents who reported each category of ACEs were more likely to initiate sex, have multiple sex partners, engage in unprotected sex, and be involved in pregnancy. Different youth assets, included self-regulation skills, connectedness to school, not skipping school, and academic performance, were associated with lower likelihood of sexual initiation and sexual risk-taking. They served as important mediators to reduce, though not completely diminish, the adverse effects of ACEs on sexual initiation and adolescent pregnancy. Conclusions: The results suggest that the relationship between ACEs and adolescent sexual risk behaviors and pregnancy is strong and graded. Effective school initiatives and intervention efforts should encourage the development of self-regulation and connectedness to school among teens who had been exposed to ACEs.
Descriptors: Sexuality, Adolescents, At Risk Persons, Health Behavior, Pregnancy, Experience, Grade 9, Grade 11, High School Students, Self Control, Student School Relationship, Attendance, Academic Achievement, Child Development
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 9; High Schools; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 11
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A