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Why Is There a Strong Positive Correlation Between Perpetration and Being a Victim of Sexual Coercion?: An Exploratory Study

NCJ Number
245505
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 8 Dated: November 2013 Pages: 783-796
Author(s)
Eugene W. Mathes
Date Published
November 2013
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this research was to determine if the correlation between perpetration and being a victim of sexual coercion is due to a lack of self-control, a coercive lifestyle, or dysfunctional romantic relationships.
Abstract
Two hundred and sixty-two college students completed measures of perpetration and being a victim of sexual coercion, lack of self-control, coercive lifestyle, romantic partner's coercive lifestyle, and partner's perpetration and being a victim of sexual coercion. Support was not found for the lack of self-control and coercive lifestyle explanations; support was found for the dysfunctional relationships explanation. Multiple regression analyses found that the self-control variable that best negatively predicted both perpetration and being a victim of sexual coercion was valuing long-term, committed romantic relationships. Interventions to prevent perpetration and being a victim of sexual coercion should focus not only on the individual victim/perpetrator but also on promoting functional romantic relationships. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.