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.