Citation

Okumu M, Mengo C, Ombayo B, Small E. J. Sch. Health 2017; 87(10): 743-750.

Affiliation

University of Texas, Arlington, School of Social Work, 211 S. Cooper St., Bldg. A, Arlington, TX 76019.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/josh.12547

PMID

28876474

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Teen dating violence (TDV), bullying, and HIV risk behaviors are public health concerns that impact adolescents in the United States. National estimates reveal high rates of these risk behaviors among high school students. Based on theoretical and empirical evidence, we hypothesized that experiencing teen dating violence (sexual and physical) would mediate the impact of bullying on HIV risk.

METHODS: Data were from the 2013 National Youth Behavior Risk Surveillance Survey (YRBSS) among students who answered questions on bullying, TDV, and HIV risk (N = 13,571). The YRBSS is conducted biennially among 9th- to 12th-grade students nationally. We used multiple regression analysis and Hayes' SPSS process macro to examine the 2 study hypotheses.

RESULTS: Findings from bivariate analysis suggest an association between bullying and HIV risk. The study also found associations between physical, sexual teen dating violence and HIV risk.

RESULTS also indicate that both physical and sexual teen dating violence mediate the association between bullying and HIV risk.

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that multidimensional interventions should be developed to reduce the rate of teen dating violence and combat bullying as a preventative method for HIV risk among high school students.

© 2017, American School Health Association.

Language: en

Keywords

HIV risk; YRBS data; adolescents; bullying; teen dating violence