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Sexual Health among Youth in Residential Care in Spain: Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors

Author

Listed:
  • Olga Fernández-García

    (Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

  • María Dolores Gil-Llario

    (Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

  • Rafael Ballester-Arnal

    (Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jaume I University, 12007 Castellón de la Plana, Spain)

Abstract

Adolescents in the child welfare system often face multiple maladaptive experiences that predispose them to worse sexual health outcomes. This study aims to (1) describe the sexual health of adolescents in Spanish residential care by exploring their sexual knowledge, attitudes toward sexuality, and sexual behaviors and (2) to find out whether there are certain characteristics that make a subgroup particularly vulnerable to engaging in risky sexual behaviors. A total of 346 adolescents recruited from 47 Spanish residential care facilities (34.1% girls, 65.9% boys) aged between 11 and 19 years old completed some self-report instruments. Descriptive analyses and tests to prove gender and age differences were conducted. Their knowledge of sexuality was lower than observed in the general adolescent population, their attitudes more negative, and their tendency to engage in risky sexual behaviors higher. Girls made very infrequent use of condoms, while boys had more sexist attitudes and made habitual use of withdrawal. Although more than 20% of them had experienced sexual exchange activities before the age of 13 until 17, they did not use condoms systematically. The low level of knowledge, the early initiation of sexual exchange activities, and the scarce use of protection methods, together with sexist attitudes, place this group in a situation of great vulnerability, increasing the risk of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and even teen dating violence.

Suggested Citation

  • Olga Fernández-García & María Dolores Gil-Llario & Rafael Ballester-Arnal, 2022. "Sexual Health among Youth in Residential Care in Spain: Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12948-:d:937728
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Combs, Katie Massey & Aparicio, Elizabeth M. & Prince, Dana M. & Grinnell-Davis, Claudette & Marra, Laura & Faulkner, Monica, 2019. "Evidence-based sexual health programs for youth involved with juvenile justice and child welfare systems: Outcomes across settings," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 64-69.
    2. James, Sigrid & Montgomery, Susanne B. & Leslie, Laurel K. & Zhang, Jinjin, 2009. "Sexual risk behaviors among youth in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 990-1000, September.
    3. Belenko, S. & Dembo, R. & Rollie, M. & Childs, K. & Salvatore, C., 2009. "Detecting, preventing, and treating sexually transmitted diseases among adolescent arrestees: An unmet public health need," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(6), pages 1032-1041.
    4. Boustani, Maya M. & Frazier, Stacy L. & Lesperance, Nephtalie, 2017. "Sexual health programming for vulnerable youth: Improving knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 375-383.
    5. Ramseyer Winter, Virginia & Brandon-Friedman, Richard A. & Ely, Gretchen E., 2016. "Sexual health behaviors and outcomes among current and former foster youth: A review of the literature," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 1-14.
    6. Oshri, A. & Tubman, J.G. & Burnette, M.L., 2012. "Childhood maltreatment histories, alcohol and other drug use symptoms, and sexual risk behavior in a treatment sample of adolescents," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(S2), pages 250-257.
    7. Oman, R.F. & Vesely, S.K. & Green, J. & Clements-Nolle, K. & Lu, M., 2018. "Adolescent pregnancy prevention among youths living in group care homes: A cluster randomized controlled trial," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 108, pages 38-44.
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    1. Björkas, Robin & Lindroth, Malin & Richert, Torkel, 2024. "Child welfare workers’ understanding of young people’s sexual health when conducting assessments due to substance use problems," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).

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