A Prospective Analysis Of The Relationships Among Sexual Assault Experiences: <i>An Extension of Previous Findings</i>

TLDR

Sexual assault on college campuses is pervasive, and prior victimization predicts future victimization. This study extends Gidycz et al.’s 1993 work by examining the interrelations among sexual victimization experiences. College women were assessed for childhood/adolescent victimization, family, alcohol, psychological, interpersonal, and sexual behavior, and re‑evaluated at 3, 5–6, and 9 months for adult victimization and related outcomes. Loglinear analysis revealed that higher severity of earlier victimization increased the likelihood of later victimization, and path analysis partially supported mediating effects of the examined variables.

Abstract

Research has indicated that sexual assault on college campuses is pervasive (Koss, Gidycz, &amp; Wisniewski, 1987) and that a history of sexual victimization serves as a risk factor for future victimization (Gidycz, Coble, Latham, &amp; Layman, 1993). The purpose of the present investigation was to extend the findings of Gidycz et al. (1993) in examining the link among sexual victimization experiences. College women were evaluated for child and adolescent sexual victimization, family adjustment, alcohol use, psychological adjustment, interpersonal functioning, and sexual behavior. Women were re-evaluated at 3, 5-6, and 9 months for adult victimization, psychological adjustment, interpersonal functioning, and sexual behavior. Loglinear analysis indicated that chances of being victimized in one time period increased with greater severity of victimization in the preceding time period. The path analysis assessing the mediating effects of these variables on victimization experiences was partially supported. Implications for future research and preventative efforts are discussed.