TY - JOUR TI - Associations between dating violence and pregnancy prevention behavior among U.S. adolescents: findings from the 2013, 2015, and 2017 Youth risk behavior surveys DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-hryw-pm15 PY - 2020 AB - Unplanned pregnancy rates continue to remain significantly higher among adolescents attending high school in the United States in comparison to adolescents in other industrialized countries. Previous research studies have shown that the use of pregnancy prevention methods is influenced by various social determinants. The aim of this study was to determine how dating violence victimization affects the frequency of use of pregnancy prevention methods among adolescents attending high school in the United States. Specifically, to what extent does dating violence victimization affect an adolescent’s ability to recognize use of pregnancy prevention methods are needed (precontemplation) and actually consistently using a prevention method during sexual activity (action). Guided by the precontemplation and action tenets of the transtheoretical model (Prochaska & Di Clemente, 1994) and Erickson’s developmental theory (1968), the goal of this study was to determine if an association existed between dating violence victimization, physical and/or sexual, grade, race, gender, and frequency of use of pregnancy prevention behaviors among adolescents attending high school in the United States. Data sets were also examined to determine if a relationship existed between acts of dating violence and use of prevention methods, mental health, and alcohol and drug use. Using selected items from the 2013, 2015, and 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a secondary analysis of data was conducted. A sample of high school students yielded results from 10,473 questionnaires. Analyses of the questionnaire responses indicated there is an associative relationship between dating violence victimization and the frequency of use of pregnancy prevention methods. This results of this study also revealed a relationship between dating violence, associative factors, and use of pregnancy prevention methods. However, significance varied based on race, gender, grade level, and type of dating violence victimization. On this basis, it is recommended stakeholders use these findings to develop pregnancy prevention interventions based on individual needs guided by race, gender, grade level, and type of dating violence experienced. This study provides a framework for the development of new innovative approaches to advance prevention strategies through policies, practices, and programs based on current research. KW - Urban Systems KW - Adolescent pregnancy KW - Teenage pregnancy KW - Risk sexual behavior KW - Dating violence KW - Adolescent pregnancy prevention KW - Mental health KW - Drug and alcohol use LA - English ER -