Pregnant Adolescents: Experiences and Behaviors Associated with Physical Assault by an Intimate Partner

• NCJ Number: 204507
• Journal: Maternal and Child Health Journal Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2000 Pages: 93-101
• Author(s): Constance M. Wiemann; Carolyn A. Agurcia; Abbey B. Berenson; Robert J. Volk; Vaughn I. Rickert
• Editor(s): Milton Kotelchuck Ph.D.
• Date Published: June 2000
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored the prevalence of physical assault among pregnant adolescents; describes the experiences and behaviors of these young women, and assessed partner and relationship characteristics.

Abstract

Prevalence rates for physical assault among pregnant adolescents are consistently higher than those for pregnant adults. This study attempts to offer a better understanding of the experiences and behaviors of battered pregnant adolescents and the characteristics of their intimate partners. All adolescents through 18 years of age who delivered at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, between April 1994 and February 1996 were eligible to participate in the study if they self-reported African-American, Mexican-American, or White race/ethnicity, planned to retain custody of their babies, were able to read and write at a fifth grade level in either English or Spanish, had no major psychiatric disorders, delivered an infant weighing greater than 1,500 grams, and were not intimately involved with anyone other than the fathers of their babies at delivery. The study sample consisted of 724 adolescents. One of every eight pregnant adolescents in this study reported having been physically assaulted by the father of her baby during the preceding 12 months. Of these, 40 percent also reported experiencing violence at the hands of a family member or relative. Also higher among those who reported partner assault were rates of concurrent emotional abuse and exposure to community violence, as well as prior physical or sexual assault. These findings strongly suggest that battering by an intimate partner is not an isolated event, but rather part of a much larger environment of violence. Efforts to increase detection and intervention, as well as prevention of physical assault during adolescent pregnancy must consider all sources and types of possible abuse experienced by these young mothers. References