Semin Reprod Med 2022; 40(01/02): 146-154
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1741519
Review Article

Addressing Adolescent Relationship Abuse in the Context of Reproductive Health Care

Maya I. Ragavan
1   Division of General Academic Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh/Children's Hospital Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Romina L. Barral
2   Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
3   University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
4   University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas
,
3   University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
4   University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas
5   Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
› Author Affiliations

Funding National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. National Institutes of Health. KL2TR001856. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development. National Institutes of Health. K23HD098299.
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Abstract

Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) is a significant public health issue that includes physical, sexual, psychological and cyber abuse, reproductive coercion, and/or sexual exploitation within an intimate relationship in which one or both partners is a minor. ARA is associated with numerous negative outcomes that include all domains of health. Many negative outcomes of ARA are related to reproductive and sexual health (RSH); thus, reproductive health care providers must be equipped to recognize and address ARA. This article will review the epidemiology and outcomes of ARA, followed by a discussion of means to robustly address ARA in health care settings. We recommend a strengths-based approach that promotes healthy adolescent relationships, connects adolescents experiencing ARA to harm reduction resources, and equips adolescents to serve as a resource for their peers.



Publication History

Article published online:
07 January 2022

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