Sexual Victimization and Perceptions of Close Relationships in Adolescence

• NCJ Number: 185613
• Journal: Child Maltreatment Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2000 Pages: 350-359
• Author(s): Anna S. Flanagan; Wyndol C. Furman
• Date Published: November 2000
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): 50106
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

These two studies examine sexual victimization and perceptions of close relationships in adolescence.

Abstract

This article proposes an attachment perspective as a framework for conceptualizing the impact of sexual victimization on close relationships. Two studies (of 154 undergraduate women and 48 high school seniors, respectively) empirically examined the links between sexual victimization and perceptions of romantic, parental, and peer relationships. In both studies, approximately half of the women had experienced some form of coerced sexual experience, the majority by an acquaintance and most in multiple incidents. Victimized undergraduate women had significantly more preoccupied romantic views than nonvictimized women. Women victimized in college were significantly more dismissing with their fathers in high school. Victims among the high school seniors had more negative interactions with romantic partners, but no differences were found for romantic styles. Victims reported more dismissing parental styles and more negative interactions with their fathers than nonvictims. Tables, references