Health Stu Fac

May 2006

Research - What makes Teens Tick?
  • Sexy Media Matter – Is exposure to sex in the media a predictor of teen sexual behavior?
  • High School Sports – A breeding ground for violence against women?
    • In the Spotlight
  • Meet Eileen Wang – Domestic Violence Coordinator of the American Medical Student Association
    • Resources
  • Stop Violence Against Women - Resource Website
    • Announcements
  • Calling all Adolescent Family Life Demonstration Projects
  • Reminder Family Violence Prevention Fund's 2007 National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence

    Research

    Many wonder what makes a teen tick? Are the sometimes inexplicable workings of the adolescent psyche a product of their childhood, their peers, the media, hormones, or some combination of it all?

    Sexy Media Matter: Exposure to Sexual Content in Music, Movies, Television, and Magazines Predicts Black and White Adolescents’ Sexual Behavior

    In April 2006 researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, studied whether exposure to sexual content via the media (television, movies, music, and magazines) by early adolescents (12 -14 years old) predicted sexual behavior by middle adolescents (14-16 years old). A longitudinal study measured the frequency of each teen’s media use as well as the sexual content in each form of media (titled a Sexual Media Diet). A computerized, confidential study was then conducted as to each teen’s sexual habits. It was found that white adolescents in the top quintile of a sexual media diet (at ages 12-14) were 2.2 times more likely to have sexual intercourse (at ages 14-16) than those who were in the lowest Sexual Media Diet quintile. The relationship between Sexual Media Diet and sexual activity was not statistically significant for black adolescents (after adjusting for other factors such as peer sexual norms and parental disapproval of sexual intercourse). It was concluded that exposure to sexual content via media influences and accelerates white adolescents’ sexual activity, thereby increasing their risk of early intercourse. Black teens appear to be more influenced by peers and parents than the media.

    In a recent University of North Carolina News release, Dr. Jane Brown, a researcher on the study, commented that, "Teens are defaulting to entertainment media for sexual information because they aren’t getting this information in other places." The article went on the comment that “Brown and her colleagues found that one of the strongest protective factors against early sexual behavior was clear parental communication about sex…Both black and white youth who reported their parents did not want them to have sex were less likely to have engaged in sexual intercourse by the time they were 16 years old than those who perceived less parent disapproval of teen sex.”

    In an editorial accompanying the article, Dr. Victor Strasburger, a pediatrician, commented that the community at large must approach sex differently than other risky behaviors to which teens may be attracted. "Remember that sex is not like drugs," Strasburger wrote. "We want our children to have happy, healthy sex lives – when they are older, not when they are 13."

    Brown claims that the media, together with parents, doctors and schools should provide more accurate sexual information to teens, "Otherwise” Brown claims, “the media will continue to serve as a kind of sexual super peer that doesn’t have the best interests of young people in mind."

    Brown JD, L'Engle KL, Pardun CJ, Guo G, Kenneavy K, Jackson C. Pediatrics 2006; 117(4): 1018-27

    Dating aggression, sexual coercion, and aggression-supporting attitudes among college men as a function of participation in aggressive high school sports

    Against the backdrop of a plethora of research regarding college athletics and violence against women, a recent study led by Gordon Forbes, attempted to look at aggressive high school sports as a precursor to male perceptions of women and intimate partner violence. It was hypothesized and found that college age males who participated in aggressive high school sports (relative to those who did not) were more likely to use both psychological and physical aggression. They were more likely to use sexual coercion when dating in college, and were more likely to cause physical injury to their partners than those males who did not engage in aggressive high school sports. Men who participated in such sports scored higher in measures of hostile sexism, and were more accepting of violence as a means to solving problems. They were generally more hostile toward women and had negative attitudes toward homosexuality (all variables: negotiation, psychological aggression, physical aggression, sexual coercion, injury, hostile sexism, benevolent sexism, acceptance of violence, and hostility toward women, were tested on individual scales). Although not applicable to all, as the testing was done at a small, private, NCAA Division III school, this study’s results cannot be ignored. In the multifactorial pathway leading to relationship violence, participation in high school sports could be an influential player.

    Forbes GB, Adams-Curtis LE, Pakalka AH, White KB. Violence Against Women 2006; 12(5): 441-55

    In the Spotlight

    Meet Eileen Wang – Domestic Violence Coordinator of the American Medical Student Association

    In Eileen's own words...

    I’d like to introduce myself as the new Domestic Violence Coordinator for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). I would love to collaborate with any of you interested in domestic violence issues and outreaching to peers and medical communities for better awareness. Advocating for survivors and increasing sensitivity around these issues can be difficult and frustrating at times. By working together, we can feel supported and empowered through our work.

    This year, I hope to build a cohesive communication network of student advocates through which to brainstorm project ideas, build databases of resources and contacts, and collaborate with and support one another. I will also be working with FVPF on Health Cares about Domestic Day and hope to expand upon the amazing projects carried out last year.

    In terms of my experience, I have advocated on both a direct services level as a crisis intervention advocate and systemic level as director of a non-profit advocacy program in Washington, D.C. I currently work on a community action team that uses art and theater as a method of interactive outreach. Starting this summer, I will be conducting a research study to help determine the barriers survivors face in confiding in their health care providers about their abusive situations.

    I would love to hear from you whether you have questions or ideas or would just like to introduce yourself. Student life can be hectic and no project is too small. Please feel free to use me as a resource and contact me at eiwang@umich.edu.

    I would like to encourage all of you, AMSA members and non-members, to sign up for the communication network listserv by emailing me or going to AMSA’s domestic violence website at http://www.amsa.org/cph/domviolence.cfm

    Thank you for your commitment to advocating for survivors of domestic violence,

    Eileen Wang
    Domestic Violence Coordinator, American Medical Student Association
    University of Michigan Medical School, MD/MPH candidate

    Resources

    Stop Violence Against Women

    Check out the Stop Violence Against Women Website at http://www.stopvaw.org/. It's a great resource!

    Announcements

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science -- Adolescent Family Life (AFL) Demonstration Projects

    Application Deadline: May 22, 2006

    Description: The primary purpose of this program is to establish innovative, comprehensive, and integrated approaches to the delivery of care services for pregnant adolescents and adolescent parents under 19 years of age at program entry, with primary emphasis on unmarried adolescents who are 17 years old or younger. Care services should promote the healthy involvement of the adolescents' children, extended family members, fathers of the children, and husbands and/or male partners with whom the adolescents are in a long-term relationship.

    Who May Apply: Any public or private nonprofit organization or agency is eligible to apply for a grant. However, only those organizations or agencies that both demonstrate the capability to provide the proposed services and meet the statutory requirements are considered for grant awards. Faith-based and community-based organizations are encouraged to apply for AFL grants.

    Expected number of awards: 15

    Estimated total program funding: $5,000,000 (Award ceiling: $375,000 Award floor: $200,000)

    For more information, go to:https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov/egrants

    Family Violence Prevention Fund's 2007 National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence

    Now Accepting Abstracts!    
    Deadline for Abstract Submission: July 28th, 2006


    Registration Opens Online
    September 30, 2006
    Pre-conference sessions: March 22, 2007
    Conference: March 23 - March 24, 2007

    Location:
    Grand Hyatt San Francisco
    San Francisco, California, USA

    The 4th Biennial National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence aims to advance the health care system’s response to domestic violence. The conference attracts the nation’s leading medical, public health and family violence experts from across the U.S. with increased international participation. Workshops and plenary sessions highlight the latest research and most innovative clinical responses to domestic violence, with a focus on the work being done by physicians, physician assistants, dentists, nurses, nurse midwives, mental and behavioral health providers, social workers, domestic violence experts, and others.

    The Family Violence Prevention Fund is especially encouraging Health Professional Students to submit abstracts reflecting student-led research, domestic violence campus reforms, and collaborative student/advocacy programs. A pre-conference session specifically focusing on professional health students and domestic violence activism will be held on March 22, 2007. Students will receive a reduced conference registration price and are eligible for scholarships. Please contact Anna Marjavi (anna@endabuse.org p:415-252-8900) with further questions.

    To submit an abstract online click here. We strongly encourage all applicants submit abstracts online, however if you do not have internet access, proposals may be sent by U.S. mail once confirmed. Please contact Julie Varghese Julie@endabuse.org, phone (415) 252-8900.

    View Conference Purpose and Goals

    Registration opens September 30, 2006 online: http://www.endabuse.org/health/conference/

    View content from our 2004 National Conference on Health Care and Domestic Violence in Boston, MA.

     

    Health Students and Faculty Against Domestic Violence is a monthly listserv aimed to network health students and faculty from across the country who are interested in improving the health sector response to domestic violence. To subscribe visit http://www.endabuse.org/programs/healthcare/, click on 'Read More' under Join Monthly Listservs , and click on 'Subscribe' under Health Students and Faculty Against Domestic Violence Listserv.

    We encourage you to use this listserv to announce upcoming events you are planning or to pose questions to the group. To post an announcement or ask a question, send an e-mail to anita.nageswaran@gmail.com.

    The listserv is moderated by Anita Nageswaran, Health Intern with the Family Violence Prevention Fund and First Year Medical Student at the University of California, San Francisco

    Thank you for contributing to our community!

    To learn more please visit our website http://www.endabuse.org/health