Intimate Partner Violence Screening in Adolescent and Young Adult Females

Abstract Problem Adolescents and young adult females are at risk for experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Females aged 16- to 24-years of age experience IPV three times more likely than males. Universal screening for adolescent IPV is considered a gold standard for adolescent anticipatory guidance. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was to evaluate the impact of an adolescent IPV screening instrument in an urban, Midwestern shelter for pregnant adolescent and young adult females. Methods An observational, descriptive design. All adolescent and young adult females presenting for intake evaluation were screened for IPV using the Healthy Relationship Quiz over a three-month period. Results There were 19 females (N=19) screened. The majority of participants had a documented positive screening (n=18, 95%). A chi-square test of independence analysis between screening and education provided by intake (χ2 = 5.00, df=1, p = .025) and between screening and referral to outside resources (χ2 = 14.00, df=1, p \u3c .001) was found. A high score on the Healthy Relationship Quiz prompted referral to resources with the odds of being referred to resources increasing by approximately 6% per one unit increase in score. Implications For Practice Screening using the Healthy Relationship Quiz identified most adolescent and young adult females living in a shelter experienced IPV. Identifying IPV enabled referral to internal, community, and counseling resources to provide intervention, reduction of future risk, and enhanced personal safety. Ideally, all adolescent and young adult females should receive anticipatory guidance and education for IPV prevention by the agency or healthcare organization