Abstract
This study examined the association between ADHD symptoms experienced before age 12 and sexual victimization during adolescence
in a sample of 374 college women who had not been sexually victimized as children. The linkage with risky sexual behavior
and the moderating effects of sociodemographic factors also were considered using structural equation modeling. ADHD symptoms
were associated with greater sexual victimization during adolescence and were linked with sexual victimization through engagement
in risky sexual behavior. Sociodemographic factors did not affect the overall model; however, sociodemographic factors were
differentially related to certain paths in the model. In particular, the associations between ADHD symptoms and sexual victimization,
as well as risky sexual behavior, were stronger for Black than White women. Also, the relation between ADHD risky sexual behaviors
was stronger for young women who grew up with only their mother than with both parents, and for those whose primary caregiver
was employed rather than unemployed.
in a sample of 374 college women who had not been sexually victimized as children. The linkage with risky sexual behavior
and the moderating effects of sociodemographic factors also were considered using structural equation modeling. ADHD symptoms
were associated with greater sexual victimization during adolescence and were linked with sexual victimization through engagement
in risky sexual behavior. Sociodemographic factors did not affect the overall model; however, sociodemographic factors were
differentially related to certain paths in the model. In particular, the associations between ADHD symptoms and sexual victimization,
as well as risky sexual behavior, were stronger for Black than White women. Also, the relation between ADHD risky sexual behaviors
was stronger for young women who grew up with only their mother than with both parents, and for those whose primary caregiver
was employed rather than unemployed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-012-9411-y
- Authors
- Jacquelyn W. White, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA
- Cheryl Buehler, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482