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We used the developmental systems model to deduce a definition of female early adolescent sexual desire. We evaluated a measure of this phenomenon with a secondary analysis of data from a randomized group sexual health intervention trial involving low-income, English-speaking, seventh grade Latinas enrolled in a Miami-Dade County public school ( n =  542). As part of this study, girls completed a four-item early adolescent sexual desire (EASD) measure. Study findings supported internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .81 to .82) and stability over a 1-month period ( r = .74). Developmental sensitivity was supported by a decline in stability over 12- ( r = .66) and 24-month periods ( r = .56). Validity was supported by correlations with puberty changes, sexual intentions, sexting, and sexual behavior, and hypothesized mean differences associated with dating and preference for shoes culturally associated with female sexual attractiveness ( p < .01). Research implications include validation work with other ethnic/racial groups and using the EASD as a starting point for a measurement continuum tracking development of sexual desire across adolescence and into adulthood. Directions for future research also include measuring the development of sexual desire in boys and transgendered youth across adolescence and into adulthood.

The purpose of this literature review is to describe the state of the science on teen dating violence (TDV) research identifying support and barriers in accessing services. This review will help identify gaps in dating violence (DV) research and inform secondary and tertiary prevention services, as well as ways that these could be integrated into comprehensive primary prevention efforts. This review was conducted via electronic search through CINAHL, PubMed, and PsychINFO. Results show a serious lack of research in the content area and the importance of increasing research efforts in discovering supports for accessing DV services is emphasized.