Risk of Teen Pregnancy Higher for Women Who Are Bisexual and Experienced Abuse

Young bisexual women were five times more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience teen pregnancy, a finding that was partially explained by childhood maltreatment and bullying, according to a study published in the April 2018 Pediatrics. The study, “Teen Pregnancy Risk Factors Among Young Women of Diverse Sexual Orientations” (published online March 12) analyzed data gathered from 7,120 young women on potential teen pregnancy risk factors, including childhood maltreatment, bullying victimization and perpetration and gender nonconformity. A total of 2 percent (166) of participants had a teen pregnancy, with those who described themselves as “mostly heterosexuals” and lesbians facing two times the risk of teen pregnancy, and bisexuals, five times the risk. Women who reached sexual minority developmental milestones earlier in life also were at higher risk of teen pregnancy, the study found. The authors conclude that teen pregnancy prevention efforts should focus on risk factors such as childhood maltreatment and bullying, with additional attention to sexual minorities.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 66,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds