Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School
Public Health
Advisor
Jirina Foltysova
Abstract
AbstractIn the United States, child sexual abuse is a significant public health issue, but society lacks awareness and its consequences. Therefore, little is known about the influence of sociodemographic factors on a sexually abused child and the quality of relationships as a young adult. A quantitative cross-sectional study based on the social-ecological model was carried out to assess whether the presence of sexual abuse, age of abuse, frequency of abuse, abusive kindship, race, and sex predict in a sexually abused child inappropriate relationships as a young adult. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using secondary data collected from 1300 children and their families from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect participants. Multiple logistic regressions models with dichotomous responses were used to answer research questions. The female sex in a sexually abused child was a significant predictor of inappropriate relationships with a best friend and community as a young adult (p=.000). Consequently, the study findings will cause positive social change by stimulating more studies that improve the quality of the relationships among this population. Furthermore, the results could encourage public health professionals to design and implement effective surveillance programs among young adults at individual, interpersonal, and community levels.
Recommended Citation
Cires, Miriam, "Child Sexual Abuse and Its Effects on a Young Adult Relationship with a Sexual Partner, Friends, and Community" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12658.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12658
