Emotional Maltreatment and Sexual Risk Behavior in Adolescents: Does Emotional Stability Mediate this Relationship?

Abstract

Studies on the implications of emotional maltreatment are limited, although there are indications that it is related to sexual risk behavior. This may have serious consequences, such as sexual disease or unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, this cross-sectional study examined the relationship between emotional maltreatment and sexual risk behavior in adolescence. In addition, the study examined whether emotional stability mediates this relationship, and whether the relationship is different according to gender and age. The participants (N = 278) were adolescents whose families were reported to Veilig Thuis for domestic violence or child abuse. The Hierarchical Personality Inventory for Children (HiPIC) and the Conflict Tactics Scale Parent-Child (CTSPC) were used to assess emotional stability and emotional maltreatment, respectively. Sexual risk behavior was assessed with questions based on the International Self Report Study Delinquency (ISRD). Results indicated that lifetime prevalence of emotional maltreatment was related to more sexual risk behavior and that this relationship was stronger for older adolescents compared to younger adolescents. No gender differences were found, and emotional stability did not mediate the relationship. In short, this study shows that experiencing emotional maltreatment impacts adolescents’ future sexual behavior. Therefore, it deserves just as much attention as do sexual and physical abuse.