College women's perceived risk to experience sexual victimization: a prospective analysis

Violence Vict. 2012;27(2):194-214. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.27.2.194.

Abstract

This study implemented a prospective design to explore college women's perceived risk to experience sexual victimization over a 2-month interim (N = 143). Compared to women without such histories, women with a history of unwanted sexual contact via arguments/ pressure, or a history of unwanted sexual intercourse via administration of alcohol/drugs reported higher perceived risk to subsequently experience these forms of victimization. Compared to women who were not victimized, women who subsequently experienced unwanted sexual intercourse via administration of alcohol/drugs or arguments/pressure reported higher levels of risk to experience these forms of victimization. Controlling for victimization history, higher levels of risk to experience sexual intercourse over the interim via arguments predicted this form of victimization over the follow-up. Implications are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aggression / psychology*
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Life Style
  • Peer Group
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Support
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology*
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Students / psychology*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Young Adult