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Risky Sexual Behaviour and Sexual Victimization among Young People with Risky Substance Use in Europe—Perspectives from Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Christiane Baldus

    (German Centre for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Tobias H. Elgán

    (STAD, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, 11364 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Veerle Soyez

    (Department of Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Hanne Tønnesen

    (Clinical Health Promotion Centre, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden)

  • Nicolas Arnaud

    (German Centre for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Ladislav Csemy

    (Public Mental Health Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic)

  • Rainer Thomasius

    (German Centre for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

Background: Research indicates that among the risks associated with young people’s alcohol and illicit drug use are sexual risks. However, insights into co-occurrence of substance use and sexual risks in adolescent samples and possible differences across countries are limited. Methods: A sample of 1449 adolescents from Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Germany screened positive for risky alcohol/illicit drug use in a web-based intervention against alcohol and illicit drug use. They also reported incidents of sex while being drunk and/or high on drugs, condomless sex on these occasions, and sexualized touching and sexual victimization while being drunk or high on drugs. Results: In the sample, 21.5% of the participants reported sexualized touching, 9.9% being victim to sexual assault, and 49.8% having had sex while being drunk and/or high on drugs; of the latter, 48.3% had condomless sex. Reports on having had sex while being drunk and/or high on drugs were associated with higher levels of past 30-day binge drinking. Being a victim of sexual assault was associated with past 30-day binge drinking only in young men. Conclusion: When devising preventive interventions against risky substance use in adolescents, an additional focus should be set on integrating steps against sexual risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Christiane Baldus & Tobias H. Elgán & Veerle Soyez & Hanne Tønnesen & Nicolas Arnaud & Ladislav Csemy & Rainer Thomasius, 2023. "Risky Sexual Behaviour and Sexual Victimization among Young People with Risky Substance Use in Europe—Perspectives from Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:21:p:7002-:d:1271644
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Evelina Landstedt & Katja Gillander Gådin, 2011. "Experiences of violence among adolescents: gender patterns in types, perpetrators and associated psychological distress," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 56(4), pages 419-427, August.
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