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01-10-2015 | Brief Report

Associations Between Parental Deployment, Relocation, and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among a Clinic-Based Sample of Military-Dependent Youth

Authors: Belinda F. Hernandez, Melissa F. Peskin, Christine M. Markham, Jean Burr, Timothy Roberts, Susan Tortolero

Published in: Journal of Prevention | Issue 5/2015

Abstract

Although sexual behaviors have been extensively studied among youth in general, they have been relatively understudied among military-dependent youth (MDY). Furthermore, the impact of unique military stressors, such as parental deployment and multiple relocations, on the sexual behaviors of MDY has not been assessed. In this pilot study, we estimated the prevalence of sexual behaviors among MDY, and examined the association between these behaviors and parental deployment and multiple relocations. Between June and September 2011, we recruited youth (N = 208; aged 15–19 years) who attended a military treatment facility in the southern United States, to complete a short, paper-based survey. We computed prevalence estimates and conducted Chi-square analyses, as well as logistic regression analyses, while adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. More than half (53.7 %) of the youth reported being sexually experienced, and many of these youth reported engaging in risky sexual behaviors. Parental deployment and multiple relocations were significantly associated only with having had sex in the past 3 months. Although with most sexual behaviors there was no significant association between parental deployment and multiple relocations, many MDY are sexually experienced and engage in risky sexual behaviors. MDY should thus be exposed to evidence-based strategies for sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy prevention, as well as provided with teen-friendly health care services and comprehensive sexual/reproductive health counseling.

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Title: Associations Between Parental Deployment, Relocation, and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among a Clinic-Based Sample of Military-Dependent Youth
Authors: Belinda F. Hernandez
Melissa F. Peskin
Christine M. Markham
Jean Burr
Timothy Roberts
Susan Tortolero
Publication date: 01-10-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Prevention / Issue 5/2015
Print ISSN: 2731-5533
Electronic ISSN: 2731-5541
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-015-0399-y

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Associations Between Parental Deployment, Relocation, and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among a Clinic-Based Sample of Military-Dependent Youth

Abstract

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Abstract

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