Differences in the Style and Sequence of Self-Defense Behavior in Relation to Sexual Victimization in College Women using a Laboratory-Based Scenario

Objective: During a potential sexual assault experience, an active, assertive behavioral response to threat (BRTT) can be protective while a non-assertive BRTT may increase risk. However, little is known about how the sequence of behaviors that a woman engages in during a threatening situation may be related to sexual victimization. The present study investigated the style and sequence of behaviors in college women’s behavioral response to threat using a lab-based date rape self-defense scenario. Method: 135 college women (113 with a history of sexual victimization) completed a lab-based self-defense scenario in which the threat stimuli and situational context were standardized. Participants also completed a comprehensive assessment of multiple BRTT styles and the sequence of behaviors utilized.Results: Most participants endorsed likely using multiple BRTT styles during the hypothetical scenario. Participants with a history of sexual victimization were more likely to endorse diplomatic and immobile style behaviors and using immobile behaviors earlier in the sequence than participants without a victimization history.Conclusions: Prior research has typically assessed whether respondents are likely to engage in one type of BRTT. The present results indicate that women often anticipate using multiple BRTT strategies and that these strategies are likely situation-dependent. Further, women with a history of sexual victimization may utilize different BRTT styles likely as a result of their prior traumatization.

Download Full-text

Predictors of Assertive and Non-Assertive Styles of Self-Defense Behavior During a Lab-based Sexual Assault Scenario

10.31219/osf.io/xukj3 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

RaeAnn Anderson ◽

Shawn P Cahill ◽

Kristin E. Silver ◽

Douglas L. Delahanty

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

College Women ◽

Psychological Factors ◽

Coping Style ◽

Interpersonal Skills ◽

Behavioral Responses ◽

Defense Behavior ◽

Self Defense ◽

History Of ◽

Rape Acknowledgment

The current study examined how psychological factors influence hypothetical behavioral responses to threat (BRTT). College women (n = 113) with a history of sexual victimization completed a standardized lab-based self-defense scenario. Interpersonal skills, coping style, and assertive and non-assertive BRTT during a prior assault predicted assertive BRTT during the task. The use of non-assertive BRTT during past assaults no longer predicted assertive BRTT during the task when accounting for rape acknowledgment. Findings regarding rape acknowledgment demonstrate the complexity of recovery from sexual assault. Our results highlight interpersonal skills as an intervention target for innovative sexual assault risk reduction interventions.

Download Full-text

Predictors of Assertive and Nonassertive Styles of Self-Defense Behavior During a Lab-Based Sexual Assault Scenario

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/1077801219828542 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 46-65

Author(s):

RaeAnn E. Anderson ◽

Shawn P. Cahill ◽

Kristin E. Silver ◽

Douglas L. Delahanty

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

College Women ◽

Psychological Factors ◽

Coping Style ◽

Interpersonal Skills ◽

Behavioral Responses ◽

Defense Behavior ◽

Self Defense ◽

History Of ◽

Rape Acknowledgment

The current study examined how psychological factors influence hypothetical behavioral responses to threat (BRTT). College women ( n = 113) with a history of sexual victimization completed a standardized lab-based self-defense scenario. Interpersonal skills, coping style, and assertive and nonassertive BRTT during a prior assault predicted assertive BRTT during the task. The use of nonassertive BRTT during past assaults no longer predicted assertive BRTT during the task when accounting for rape acknowledgment. Findings regarding rape acknowledgment demonstrate the complexity of recovery from sexual assault. Our results highlight interpersonal skills as an intervention target for innovative sexual assault risk reduction interventions.

Download Full-text

Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrated by College Women within the Context of a History of Victimization

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1111/j.1471-6402.2005.00222.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 278-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Kelly N. Graves ◽

Stacy M. Sechrist ◽

Jacquelyn W. White ◽

Matthew J. Paradise

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

College Women ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Sexual Victimization ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration ◽

Concurrent Use ◽

Violence Perpetration ◽

History Of

Using a longitudinal design, the current study explored intimate partner violence perpetration among 1,300 college women within the context of one's history of physical and sexual victimization across 4 years of college. Structural equation modeling indicated that sexual victimization does not predict concurrent use of women's intimate partner violence but does predict subsequent use of women's intimate partner violence during the later years of college. In contrast, physical victimization is associated positively with concurrent use of women's intimate partner violence but is negatively associated with subsequent use of women's intimate partner violence for women. Furthermore, the negative relationship of victimization to subsequent perpetration primarily is due to those with high levels of victimization histories. The present study provides the first model of intimate partner violence within the context of victimization history using longitudinal data. The findings indicate that women's intimate partner violence perpetration is not context-free, but rather is influenced by their own physical and sexual victimization histories.

Download Full-text

Examining the Role of Body Dissatisfaction and Sexual Self-Esteem in Sexual Functioning Outcomes among College Women with a History of Sexual Victimization

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e621642012-126 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Erika L. Kelley ◽

Christine A. Gidycz

Keyword(s):

Body Dissatisfaction ◽

College Women ◽

Sexual Functioning ◽

Sexual Victimization ◽

Self Esteem ◽

History Of

Download Full-text

Factors Associated With College Women’s Labeling of Sexual Victimization

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-12-00049 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 28 (6) ◽

pp. 940-958 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Lindsay M. Orchowski ◽

Amy S. Untied ◽

Christine A. Gidycz

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Sexual Assault ◽

College Women ◽

Sexual Victimization ◽

Date Rape ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Self Blame ◽

Perpetrator Blame

Despite high rates of sexual assault among college women, most victims do not label the experience as sexual assault or rape. Prior research examining labeling of sexual victimization has focused on women’s characterization of rape experiences as either not victimization or victimization. This study extends prior research by exploring factors associated with labeling various forms of sexual victimization as “not victimization,” a “serious miscommunication,” or a “sexual assault, date rape, rape, or crime.” A sample of 1,060 college women reported on their experiences of sexual victimization since the age of 14 years. Women who reported experiences of prior sexual victimization (n = 371) indicated their level of acquaintance with the assailant, assault disclosure, substance use at time of assault, attributions of self- and perpetrator-blame for the assault, and labeling of the experience. Most women who reported experiences of sexual victimization did not self-identify as victims, and 38% labeled sexual victimization as a serious miscommunication. Greater acquaintance with the perpetrator, higher behavioral self-blame, and victim substance use at the time of the assault were associated with labeling sexual assault experiences as a serious miscommunication. Implications are discussed.

Download Full-text

Binge Drinking and Rape: A Prospective Examination of College Women With a History of Previous Sexual Victimization

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260509354580 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (9) ◽

pp. 1655-1668 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Jenna L. McCauley ◽

Karen S. Calhoun ◽

Christine A. Gidycz

Keyword(s):

Binge Drinking ◽

College Women ◽

Sexual Victimization ◽

History Of

Download Full-text

Anderson, Brouwer, Wendorf & Cahill (2016) Women’s Behavioral Responses to the Threat of a Hypothetical Date Rape Stimulus: A Qualitative Analysis

10.31219/osf.io/e5j7a ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

RaeAnn Anderson ◽

Amanda Brouwer ◽

Angela R. Wendorf ◽

Shawn P Cahill

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Sexual Assault ◽

College Women ◽

Behavioral Response ◽

Date Rape ◽

Behavioral Responses ◽

Consensual Qualitative Research ◽

Qualitative Research Methodology ◽

Conditional Decision ◽

Almost All

Objective: One in four college women experience sexual assault on campus. Campuses rarely provide the in depth self-defense programs needed to reduce sexual assault risk. Not much is known about the range of possible behaviors elicited by sexual assault threat stimuli besides assertion. To fill this gap, the aim of the current study was to explore qualitative themes in women’s intended behavioral responses to a hypothetical common sexual assault threat, date rape, by using a laboratory controlled threat. Methods: College women (N = 139) were randomly assigned to one of four different levels of sexual assault threat presented via an audio recorded vignette. Participants articulated how they would hypothetically respond to the experimentally assigned threat. Responses were blinded and analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research methodology. Results: Six major themes emerged: assertion, compliance/acceptance, conditional decision-making, avoidance, expressions of discomfort, and allusion to future contact. Although almost all participants described assertion, a number of non-assertive responses were described that are not currently recognized in the literature. These non-assertive responses, including compliance/acceptance, conditional decision making, and avoidance may represent unique behavioral response styles and likely reflect the complex psychological process of behavioral response to threat. Discussion: The variety of themes found illustrates the great range of behavioral responses to threat. This broad range is not currently well represented or measured in the literature and better understanding of these responses can inform future interventions, advocacy efforts, and policies focused on sexual assault.

Download Full-text