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Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Coercion: Measurement Invariance in a Population-Based Sample of Male and Female High School Students

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Abstract

Though researchers have documented that adolescents are vulnerable to coercion focused on reproductive and sexual autonomy, measures to assess this type of coercion for both adolescent females and males have not been validated in a population-based sample. The present study used secondary data collected from high school students across Kentucky (n = 16,137 from two independent samples in 2010 and 2014) to 1) determine if five items measuring adolescent reproductive and sexual coercion (ARSC) are appropriate for use among both females and males; and 2) estimate prevalence of identified ARSC factors by sex. For both male and females, given measurement items, the results supported a two-factor model of ARSC comprised of 1) verbal relationship manipulation and 2) contraceptive interference. Measurement invariance by sex was also supported. Additional findings indicated the high prevalence of ARSC and its associated subscales. Approximately 4 in 10 females and 3 in 10 males reported experiencing ARSC in the previous year, with almost all of those reporting contraceptive interference also reporting verbal relationship manipulation. Findings suggest verbal relationship manipulation and contraceptive interference (together forming ARSC) may restrict the autonomous sexual and reproductive decision-making of both female and male adolescents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Assistant Professor of Public Health, Ohio State University, 308 Cunz Hall, 1841 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Julianna M. Nemeth

  2. Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Operations, University of Colorado, Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 1441, Denver, CO, 80204, USA

    Nelia Viveiros

  3. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 501 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd, San Antonio, TX, 78207 DB. 4.218, USA

    Kellie R. Lynch

  4. Associate Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of South Carolina, Currell College, Room 201A, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Tia Stevens Andersen

  5. Professor of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, 650G Dyer Hall, ML 201389, Cincinnati, OH, 45201-0389, USA

    Bonnie Fisher

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  1. Julianna M. Nemeth
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  2. Nelia Viveiros
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  3. Kellie R. Lynch
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Correspondence to Julianna M. Nemeth.

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Nemeth, J.M., Viveiros, N., Lynch, K.R. et al. Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Coercion: Measurement Invariance in a Population-Based Sample of Male and Female High School Students. J Fam Viol 35, 619–632 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-019-00092-w

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