Internalizing and Externalizing Pathways From Polyvictimization to Adult Risky Sexual Behavior: The Roles of Timing and Chronicity

Abstract

Although the association between youth victimization and risky sexual behaviors (RSB) is well established, the developmental timing and pathways through which polyvictimization contributes to young adult RSB are unclear. This study prospectively examined the respective impacts of childhood and adolescent polyvictimization (i.e., physical abuse, sexual abuse, and witnessed family and community violence) on young adult RSB (i.e., sex under the influence and past-year number of sexual partners; M_Age = 23.78), and whether internalizing/externalizing problems at age 18 mediate these associations. Structural Equation Modeling revealed no direct effects of polyvictimization on adult RSB. Externalizing behaviors at age 18 mediated the relationship between both childhood and adolescent polyvictimization and sex under the influence. Delinquency specifically mediated the link between adolescent, but not childhood, polyvictimization and number of sexual partners. Internalizing behaviors and chronic polyvictimization were unrelated to RSB. Externalizing problems are an important pathway through which both childhood and adolescent victimization experiences are linked to sexual risk-taking into young adulthood.

Keywords

polyvictimization developmental timing risky sexual behaviors internalizing and externalizing behaviors

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