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| Research article summary (published 30 May 2009): |
Childhood abuse, avatar choices, and other risk factors associated with internet-initiated victimization of adolescent girls.
Full Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the risk factors for Internet-initiated victimization of female adolescents. In particular, it was expected that girls who experienced childhood abuse would show higher vulnerability than their nonabused peers. In addition, the study examined how provocative self-presentations might be related to online sexual advances and offline encounters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adolescent girls aged 14 to 17 years who had experienced substantiated childhood abuse (N = 104) were demographically matched with nonabused girls (N = 69) and surveyed regarding Internet usage, maternal and paternal caregiver presence, substance use, high-risk sexual attitudes, and involvement with high-risk peers. To measure online self-presentation, participants each created avatars, which were quantified according to the degree of provocative physical features. RESULTS: Forty percent of the sample reported experiencing online sexual advances, and 26% reported meeting someone offline who they first met online. Abused girls were significantly more likely to have experienced online sexual advances and to have met someone offline. Having been abused and choosing a provocative avatar were significantly and independently associated with online sexual advances, which were, in turn, associated with offline encounters. CONCLUSIONS: A history of childhood abuse may increase Internet-initiated victimization vulnerability. Parents should be aware of the ways in which their adolescents are presenting themselves online. Making adolescent girls and their parents aware that provocative online self-presentations may have implications for sexual solicitation might help to ward off sexual advances and might help prevent Internet-initiated victimizations. Practitioners should consider standard inquiry into Internet and media usage an aspect of comprehensive care.
Author information
Author/s: Noll, Jennie G (JG); Shenk, Chad E (CE); Barnes, Jaclyn E (JE); Putnam, Frank W (FW);
Affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. jennie.noll(-atsign-)cchmc.org
Grants: R01HD052533 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Journal: Pediatrics (Pediatrics), published in United States. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2009-Jun; vol 123 (issue 6) : pp e1078-83
Dates: Created 2009/06/01; Completed 2009/06/17;
PMID: 19482741, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/17/2009, IMS Date: 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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