(23) Characterization of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Among Adolescents

Background: CDC data shows that 25% of adolescents experience verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse from a dating partner. We aimed to determine the incidence of IPV among adolescents, and to characterize the types of IPV experienced in order to allow for early identification, intervention, and prevention of IPV among adolescents.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of IPV screenings for patients seen in pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) clinics from 1/2022-6/2022. Using QI methodology, we previously developed and implemented an IPV screening tool for adolescents. All adolescents ≥13 years receiving care at PAG clinics are screened for IPV at each in-person visit. Screens were considered positive if patients indicated ever experiencing IPV. Data were collected on demographics, details of experienced IPV, mental health disorders, and resources provided. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. The study was IRB approved.

Results: 1151 IPV screens were completed by 916 individual patients. 68 screens (5.9%) were positive, completed by 65 patients (7%). Patients with positive IPV screening were more likely to be younger (mean age 16.5 years) compared to those who screened negative (mean age 17.4 years), p=0.019. Both groups were similar in race. Among unique positive responses, 7.7% reported current IPV, 76.92% reported past IPV, and timing was unspecified for 15.38%. The types of IPV experienced were sexual (36.92%), physical (10.77%), verbal (23.08%), mental (55.38%), and unspecified type (16.92%). 26% of patients experienced more than one type of IPV. Among patients who screened positive for IPV, 72.3% had a history of a mental health diagnosis at time of screening. 12.3% of patients were seen by social work at the time of the positive screen, 83.1% given resources in office, and 4.6% did not have documented management.

Conclusions: 5.9% of our patients experienced IPV – with mental abuse being the most commonly experienced modality of IPV. Most IPV had occurred in prior relationships. Those reporting IPV were of younger age compared to those who screened negative. The incidence of IPV in our study population was markedly lower than the nationally reported 25%. We may be under identifying IPV based on patient interpretation of questions and perception of experiences. The incidence of mental health disorders was higher than the reported rates in adolescents. Our findings affirm the importance of early screening for all forms of IPV. As mental abuse can be more difficult to identify, educational resources and provider counseling should address ways for patients to more readily recognize it and seek assistance.