ADOLESCENT SEXUAL AGGRESSION - RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Objective. Little research addresses the correlates of sexual aggressi on in nonclinical populations of adolescents. The purpose of this stud y was to identify risk and protective factors associated with sexual v iolence among male and female adolescents. Methods. We analyzed data o n 71 594 students in the 9th and 12th grades responding to the 1992 Mi nnesota Student Survey, an anonymous, self-report survey examining an array of risk environments, health-compromising behaviors, and protect ive factors. The responses of students reporting a history of forcing someone into a sexual act were compared with those who reported that t hey had never forced someone into a sexual act Separate analyses were conducted for males and females. Results. A history of sexual violence perpetration was reported by 4.8% of male and 1.3% of female adolesce nts. Using a logistic regression model, sexual aggression was associat ed with experiencing intrafamilial or extrafamilial sexual abuse, witn essing family violence, frequent use of illegal drugs, anabolic steroi d use, daily alcohol use, gang membership, high levels of suicide risk behavior, and excessive time spent ''hanging out.'' Emotional health and connectedness with friends and adults in the community were protec tive factors for male adolescents against sexually aggressive behavior , and academic achievement was a protective factor for female adolesce nts. Conclusions. A history of forcing someone into a sexual act was a ssociated with several risk and protective factors. Efforts to prevent adolescent sexual violence should target individuals at increased ris k. Through their psychosocial assessment of young people, health care professionals can play a role in identifying, counseling, and making a ppropriate referrals for adolescents at risk for sexually aggressive b ehavior.