Minority adolescent mothers who reported childhood sexual abuse and those who did not: perceptions of themselves and their relationships.

Perceptions of two groups of minority adolescent mothers (those who reported childhood sexual abuse and those who did not) were examined by analyzing their responses to four open-ended questions. Responses of sexually abused (SA) and non-sexually abused (NSA) respondents were studied, and themes that emerged from the data were derived. The responses from the groups were compared, and major thematic differences between the two groups identified. Distinct differences between the SA (n = 51) and NSA groups (n = 60) were detected in their responses to questions that related to their perceptions of themselves, their sexuality, and their relationships with men. Both SA and NSA groups had positive feelings about being parents, although the SA group expressed feelings of anxiety about the safety of their children.