Examining identity development, teen pregnancy, and abortion in Rwandan adolescents: A comparative analysis between sexually and non-sexually abused groups

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the links between identity statuses /dimensions, teen pregnancy, abortion, and motherhood in adolescents exposed and non-exposed to sexual abuse in Rwanda. A case control study design was used to study a sample of 746 girls (10-19 years) composed of a group of adolescents exposed (373) and another of non-exposed to sexual abuse (373). Case and control groups were selected from the Isange One Stop Centers and secondary schools respectively. Data were obtained with a socio demographic questionnaire and the standardized measures of identity statuses and dimensions. The Chi-Square of independence was employed to test the group differences for variables investigated. No significant group variation in age category and other socio demographic variables (p>0.05) was observed. Teen motherhoods account for 22.9% of the total sample and were all from the case group. About 2% of the case group were pregnant and 5.4% of had history of abortion. The groups were significantly different in identity statuses/dimensions (p<.05). The case group reported higher rate of identity diffusion, foreclosure and achievement statuses plus commitment making and identification with commitment than the control group. They also reported lower moratorium, exploration in depth and exploration in breadth than the control group. Findings highlight that sexual abuse accelerates psychological growth and leads to the formation of a premature identity status considered as identity achievement, commitment making, and identification with commitment, particularly during early and middle adolescence.