Technology-facilitated abuse as a risk factor for STI and pregnancy in early adulthood

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Background Technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) has emerged as a significant form of violence against adolescents and young adults (AYA). However, evidence is limited regarding the prevalence of forms of TFA among AYA and how TFA from partners influences other outcomes related to AYA sexual health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of TFA exposure among AYA in an agricultural region in the United States, to identify associated risk factors, and assess its relationship to later sexual, mental, and violence-related health outcomes.

METHODS: We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study of eighth graders from Salinas, California followed over eight years. Pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing were conducted in emerging adulthood (~age 20). TFA was measured using a 6-item scale of Cyber Dating. Log-binomial models were used to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between any TFA in early and middle adolescence (~ages 13-15) with sexual health, mental health and violence outcomes in emerging adulthood.

RESULTS: Among 373 participants with follow-up data, the median age of participants at baseline was 13.7 years (interquartile range (IQR) 13.4, 14) and the majority were female (56.0%, n=216), Latine (95.9%, n=370) and had at least one parent or grandparent from Mexico (88.9%, n=343). Over the entire study period in early adolescence, 41.7% (n=161) of participants reported ever having TFA experiences but the percentage was roughly 20% at any one visit. The most reported TFA type was a partner repeatedly contacting the participant via some form of technology to see where they were/who they were with. Exposure to TFA in early or middle adolescence was associated with a higher likelihood of pregnancy before age 20 (RR 1.71; 95% CI 1.02, 2. 84) and an STI diagnosis in emerging adulthood (RR 2.22; 95% CI 1.19, 4.16) in adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS: TFA was relatively common among AYA throughout adolescence and into emerging adulthood. TFA was associated with teen pregnancy and STI acquisition. Further work is needed to understand mechanisms for this relationship and to integrate TFA into existing intimate partner violence prevention programming and reduce the negative effects of TFA on sexual and reproductive health. Technology is increasingly being used as a tool for abuse in relationships, especially among teenagers and young adults. This study looked at how common technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) is among adolescents and young adults in an agricultural region of California. We also explored how experiencing this type of abuse in early and middle adolescence (around ages 13-15) might affect reproductive health outcomes later in early adulthood.We followed a group of young people from their early teenage years into adulthood, checking in with them over eight years. At around age 20, we also tested for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). TFA was measured by asking whether a romantic partner had used technology, such as texting or social media, to control or monitor them.We found that about 1 in 5 participants had experienced TFA during early adolescence, and this pattern remained consistent over time. The most common form of TFA was a partner repeatedly messaging or calling to check their location and who they were with. Our findings suggest that experiencing TFA as a teenager was linked to a higher chance of pregnancy before age 20 and a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with an STI in young adulthood.These results highlight that TFA is a serious and common issue that may have long-term impacts on young people's health. More research is needed to understand why this link exists and to develop ways to prevent TFA and support young people in safe and healthy relationships.