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Predicting Body-Esteem Based on Type of Sexual Victimization Experience.

Suzanne L Osman¹, Jamie P Nicholson¹

¹Salisbury University, MD, USA.

Journal of Interpersonal Violence

|March 8, 2021

Summary

Women with no sexual victimization experience reported higher body-esteem than those with sexual coercion or rape experience. However, body-esteem varied by specific sexual victimization type, with attempted rape linked to higher body-esteem.

Keywords:

body-esteem coercion contact rape sexual victimization type

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Sociology
Public Health

Background:

Limited research explores the link between body-esteem and sexual victimization in adulthood.
Understanding this relationship is crucial for mental health and trauma-informed care.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how different types of sexual victimization experiences impact women's body-esteem.
To differentiate the effects of various sexual victimization severities on body-esteem.

Main Methods:

Surveyed 750 undergraduate women on body-esteem and sexual victimization history.
Utilized the Body-Esteem Scale and the Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization.
Categorized participants based on sexual victimization experience: none, sexual contact, attempted coercion, coercion, attempted rape, and rape.

Main Results:

Women reporting no or only sexual contact experience had higher body-esteem.
Those experiencing coercion, attempted coercion, or rape reported lower body-esteem compared to attempted rape survivors.
Attempted rape survivors reported higher body-esteem than those with no sexual victimization experience.

Conclusions:

Body-esteem is negatively associated with severe sexual victimization (coercion, rape).
The impact of sexual victimization on body-esteem is nuanced and type-dependent.
Overcoming severe sexual victimization may foster improved body-esteem.