Prediction of Sexual Assault Experiences in College Women Based on Rape Scripts: A Prospective Analysis

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Prediction of Sexual Assault Experiences in College Women Based on Rape Scripts: A Prospective Analysis
Language: English
Authors: Turchik, Jessica A., Probst, Danielle R., Irvin, Clinton R.
Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Apr 2009 77(2):361-366.
Availability: American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 6
Publication Date: 2009
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Descriptors: Scripts, Rape, Females, Victims of Crime, Prediction, Undergraduate Students, Predictor Variables, Risk Management, Data Analysis, Clinical Psychology, Computer Uses in Education
DOI: 10.1037/a0015157
ISSN: 0022-006X
Abstract: Although script theory has been applied to sexual assault (e.g., H. Frith & C. Kitzinger, 2001; A. S. Kahn, V. A. Andreoli Mathie, & C. Torgler, 1994), women's scripts of rape have not been examined in relation to predicting sexual victimization experiences. The purpose of the current study was to examine how elements of women's sexual assault scripts predicted their sexual assault experiences over a follow-up period. The authors used data from a baseline and follow-up session for 339 undergraduate women. The results suggest that women who constructed narratives containing certain elements were more likely to report a sexual assault over the academic quarter. Specifically, narratives containing the woman utilizing nonforceful resistance, the woman having less control over the outcome of the situation, the assault happening outdoors, the assault being more severe, and the woman having known the perpetrator less time were predictive of reported sexual victimization over the 8-week follow-up period. Additionally, having a history of adolescent sexual victimization was also predictive of reported sexual victimization over the quarter. These findings have important implications in sexual assault risk-reduction programming, which are discussed. (Contains 4 tables.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 23
Entry Date: 2009
Accession Number: EJ833342
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Although script theory has been applied to sexual assault (e.g., H. Frith & C. Kitzinger, 2001; A. S. Kahn, V. A. Andreoli Mathie, & C. Torgler, 1994), women's scripts of rape have not been examined in relation to predicting sexual victimization experiences. The purpose of the current study was to examine how elements of women's sexual assault scripts predicted their sexual assault experiences over a follow-up period. The authors used data from a baseline and follow-up session for 339 undergraduate women. The results suggest that women who constructed narratives containing certain elements were more likely to report a sexual assault over the academic quarter. Specifically, narratives containing the woman utilizing nonforceful resistance, the woman having less control over the outcome of the situation, the assault happening outdoors, the assault being more severe, and the woman having known the perpetrator less time were predictive of reported sexual victimization over the 8-week follow-up period. Additionally, having a history of adolescent sexual victimization was also predictive of reported sexual victimization over the quarter. These findings have important implications in sexual assault risk-reduction programming, which are discussed. (Contains 4 tables.)
ISSN:0022-006X
DOI:10.1037/a0015157