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Risk and Protective Factors for Sexual and Dating Violence Victimization: A Longitudinal, Prospective Study of Latino and African American Adolescents

  • Empirical Research
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Abstract

Teen dating violence and sexual victimization are serious public health concerns. Although research has highlighted the correlates and consequences of such abuse, little is known about early antecedents. The current study sought to identify the risk and protective factors evident in early adolescence that are associated with sexual and dating violence victimization in late adolescence. The sample involved 236 (52 % female) low-income Latino (69 %) and African American (31 %) youth, their older sisters, and their mothers who were studied when youth were, on average, ages 13 and 18 years. The results indicated that early indicators of a risky lifestyle (e.g., getting drunk, having sex) and having deviant friends and siblings were associated with a higher likelihood of subsequent victimization. Mothers’ early strictness, monitoring, and conservative sexual attitudes predicted a lower likelihood of subsequent assault and served as significant buffers given specific risks, particularly for girls and Latinos. The findings suggest that behavior and social network patterns established relatively early in life increase one’s vulnerability to victimization later in life, as well as point to aspects of parenting that serve a protective function against such outcomes.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Office of Population Affairs Grants APR-000970 and R01-PG006013, and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Grant R29-HD29472 (to P. East).

Author Contributions

P. E. and A. H. conceived of the study, interpreted the data, and drafted the manuscript. P. E. oversaw data collection and conducted the statistical analysis; Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Child Development and Community Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0927, USA

    Patricia L. East

  2. Department of Child and Family Development, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, EBA Bldg.-415, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA

    Audrey Hokoda

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  1. Patricia L. East
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Correspondence to Patricia L. East.

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East, P.L., Hokoda, A. Risk and Protective Factors for Sexual and Dating Violence Victimization: A Longitudinal, Prospective Study of Latino and African American Adolescents. J Youth Adolescence 44, 1288–1300 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0273-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0273-5

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