In a research study exploring patterns of substance use and sexual behavior among pregnant adolescent women under the age of 18, the data were examined for associations between a history of early forced sexual intercourse and indicators of psychological, behavioral, and social problems during adolescence. The findings indicate that many pregnant adolescent women have experienced early forced sexual intercourse and that the experience has had a measurable effect on their functioning during adolescence. Compared to reported nonvictims, reported victims were more depressed, anxious, and self-conscious, had lower self-esteem, used more crack, cocaine, and other drugs (excluding marijuana), and engaged in a higher number of delinquent activities. In addition, they moved more frequently, experienced poorer quality family relationships, and felt that they had received less emotional support from family and friends over the past year. Discriminant function analysis succeeded in distinguishing reported victims from nonvictims 67% of the time.
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