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Childhood sexual victimization among college men: definitional and methodological issues
1Department of Psychology, Auburn University, AL.
Violence and Victims
|January 1, 1987
Summary
This study explored childhood sexual victimization in college men, finding prevalence varied significantly based on definition. Methodological and definitional issues are critical for understanding male sexual abuse.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Sociology
Background:
- Limited research exists on childhood sexual victimization in nonclinical male populations.
- Understanding male experiences requires examining prevalence and descriptive features in diverse samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of childhood sexual victimization among college men in nonclinical settings.
- To identify the impact of varying definitions on reported outcomes of male childhood sexual victimization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a broad funnel-type questionnaire methodology.
- Collected data from two independent samples of college men (n=253 and n=329) from Midwestern and Southeastern universities.
- Analyzed data based on different definitions of sexual abuse.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates for childhood sexual victimization varied widely (4%-24%) depending on the definition used.
- The nature of reported experiences differed significantly when less restrictive definitions were applied.
- Findings suggest male experiences may differ from those reported in female college students or clinical samples of boys.
Conclusions:
- Methodological and definitional inconsistencies critically impact the study of childhood sexual victimization in males.
- Further research is needed to establish standardized definitions and methodologies for studying male victimization.
- Accurate assessment of male childhood sexual victimization requires careful consideration of definitional parameters.