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Attachment style, early sexual intercourse, and dating aggression victimization
Nicole Yarkovsky1, Patti A Timmons Fritz
1University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|October 10, 2013
Summary
This study found no significant link between anxious attachment or early sexual debut and dating aggression victimization in young women. Controlling for social desirability is crucial for sensitive research topics.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Attachment styles influence interpersonal relationships and vulnerability to aggression.
- Early sexual debut is a sensitive topic often correlated with various psychosocial factors.
- Dating aggression (DA) victimization is a significant concern among young adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between attachment styles, age at first sexual intercourse, and dating aggression victimization.
- To determine if anxious attachment or early sexual debut are risk factors for dating aggression victimization.
- To highlight the importance of controlling for social desirability in sensitive research.
Main Methods:
- 137 heterosexual female undergraduates (ages 18-25) completed online questionnaires.
- Assessed attachment style using the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale.
- Measured dating aggression victimization using the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory and sexual history.
Main Results:
- Initial correlations indicated higher DA victimization with anxious attachment and earlier vaginal/oral sexual debut.
- Multivariate analysis revealed anxious attachment and early sexual debut did not significantly predict DA victimization beyond control variables.
- Posthoc analyses stressed the need to control for social desirability in sensitive data collection.
Conclusions:
- Anxious attachment and early sexual debut were not confirmed as significant risk factors for dating aggression victimization in this sample.
- Social desirability significantly impacts reporting on sensitive topics like sexual history and victimization.
- Future research should incorporate social desirability measures when examining dating aggression and related factors.
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