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The reciprocal relationship between sexual victimization and sexual assertiveness
Jennifer A Livingston1, Maria Testa, Carol VanZile-Tamsen
1Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, NY, USA.
Violence Against Women
|February 27, 2007
Summary
Low sexual assertiveness may increase the risk of sexual victimization in women. This study found a reciprocal relationship, where past victimization predicts lower assertiveness, and lower assertiveness predicts future victimization.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Low sexual assertiveness is a proposed mechanism for sexual revictimization.
- Existing evidence on this link is mixed and requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal relationship between sexual refusal assertiveness and sexual victimization.
- To investigate the reciprocal nature of this association over time.
Main Methods:
- Prospective path analysis was employed.
- A community sample of women was studied over time.
Main Results:
- A reciprocal relationship was supported: historical sexual victimization predicted lower sexual assertiveness.
- Low sexual assertiveness prospectively predicted subsequent sexual victimization.
- Recent sexual victimization also prospectively affected subsequent sexual assertiveness.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a cyclical link between sexual victimization and assertiveness.
- Strengthening sexual assertiveness may be a viable strategy to reduce vulnerability to future sexual victimization.
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