NCJ Number
210197
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 17 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2002 Pages: 1145-1159
Date Published
November 2002
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined the links between coercive sexual behavior, alcohol consumption, and alcohol expectancies regarding sexual behaviors in a sample of college males.
Abstract
Previous studies of sexually coercive behavior among college men have found high rates of nonconsensual sexual behavior. One of the most frequently noted factors associated with the risk of sexual assault is alcohol consumption. The current study investigated three main hypotheses: (1) past sexually coercive behavior would be associated with greater alcohol consumption; (2) sexually coercive men would hold more alcohol expectancies for sexual behaviors; and (3) the relationship between alcohol consumption and sexual coercion would be moderated by alcohol expectancies. Participants were 186 male undergraduates who completed self-report measures including the Alcohol Effects on Sexual Behavior Questionnaire, the Daily Drinking Questionnaire, and the Sexual Experiences Survey. Results of statistical analyses indicated that men with histories of sexual coercion also reported significantly more alcohol consumption and alcohol expectancies regarding sexual behavior. Moreover, the findings suggested that alcohol expectancies moderated the relationship between alcohol consumption and sexually coercive behavior. These findings reveal that the relationship between greater alcohol consumption and sexually coercive behavior only holds when the individual also has high alcohol expectancies regarding sexual behavior. More research is needed on attitudes regarding sexual expectancies because it appears that these attitudes are important factors in sexually coercive behavior. Table, figure, references