Comparisons of Sexual Victimization Experiences among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Women

López, Gabriela; Yeater, Elizabeth A.

doi:10.1177/0886260518787202

Cited by 27 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Experiencing interpersonal violence, sexual assault, or PTSD is associated with a higher risk for substance use in the general population (Ullman et al, 2018;Ullman et al, 2013). Qualitative work indicates that bisexual women may use alcohol as a coping mechanism in response to feeling pressured to engage in sex, including sex with multiple partners (Taggart et al, 2019) and that SM women are more likely to report substance use as a coping strategy for sexual victimization (Lopez and Yeater, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual minority substance use disparities: Bisexual women at elevated risk relative to other sexual minority groups

Schuler

Collins

2020

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

124

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Background: Prior studies characterizing sexual minority substance use disparities have primarily compared lesbian/gay and bisexual individuals, respectively or in combination, to heterosexual individuals. In light of emerging evidence that bisexual individuals may have particularly elevated substance use risk, we examine differences in recent substance use between bisexual and lesbian/gay individuals using national survey data.Methods: Data on 126,463 adults (including 8,241 LGB adults) were from the 2015-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance use outcomes included binge drinking, cigarette smoking, cigar smoking, marijuana use, illicit drug use, opioid misuse, alcohol use disorder, nicotine dependence, and substance use disorder. Logistic regression was used to estimate sexual identity-and gender-specific odds ratios, controlling for demographic characteristics. Of particular interest were estimates comparing bisexual and lesbian/gay individuals of the same gender.Results: Both male and female sexual minority adults had significantly elevated rates of substance use compared to heterosexual adults. Furthermore, relative to lesbian/gay women, bisexual women had significantly elevated odds of binge drinking (aOR=1.29), marijuana use (aOR=1.42), illicit drug use (aOR=1.55), opioid misuse (aOR=1.53) and alcohol use disorder (aOR=1.48) . Relative to gay men, bisexual men had significantly elevated cigar use (aOR=1.64). Conclusions:Bisexual women were at significantly greater risk for multiple substance use behaviors relative to lesbian/gay women. We did not observe any substance use behaviors for which bisexual individuals had significantly lower risk than their lesbian/gay peers. These disparities may be explained, in part, by unique risk factors for substance use experienced by bisexual individuals, particularly bisexual women.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual minority substance use disparities: Bisexual women at elevated risk relative to other sexual minority groups

Schuler

Collins

2020

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

124

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“…Another consistent body of research has shown that members of sexual minorities (LGBTQI) have a higher probability of experiencing sexual victimization than heterosexual individuals (e.g., Canan et al, 2019;Chen et al, 2020;Peterson et al, 2011). Again, despite differences in the prevalence rates of sexual victimization, associations with vulnerability factors, such as heavy drinking or childhood sexual abuse, were found to be similar (López & Yeater, 2021;Ray et al, 2021). In the present study, differences in patterns of sexual behavior, defined by having had sex with a male partner, a female partner, or both, were examined in relation to the pathway from risky sexual scripts to sexual victimization.…”

Section: The Role Of Gender and Sexual Minority Statusmentioning

confidence: 98%

Pathways from College Students’ Cognitive Scripts for Consensual Sex to Sexual Victimization: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

Krahé

Berger

2021

The Journal of Sex Research

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Sexual scripts serve as cognitive representations of typical elements of sexual interactions that guide sexual behavior. To the extent that cognitive scripts for consensual sex comprise elements associated with a risk of experiencing nonconsensual sex, they may be indirectly linked to sexual victimization via risky sexual behavior. A longitudinal study with 2,425 college students in Germany (58% female) examined pathways from sexual scripts for consensual sex, sexual behavior, and sexual victimization over three data waves separated by 12-month intervals. Sexual scripts and behavior were defined as risky to the extent that they include known vulnerability factors for sexual victimization (casual sex, alcohol consumption, ambiguous communication of sexual intentions). Path analyses confirmed that more risky sexual scripts prospectively predicted more risky sexual behavior, which predicted higher odds of sexual victimization. The findings held for men and women and participants with exclusively opposite-sex and both same-and opposite-sex contacts. Moreover, reciprocal influences between risky scripts and risky sexual behavior were found over time, confirming the proposed mutual reinforcement of scripts and behavior. The findings have implications for conceptualizing the role of scripts for consensual sex as vulnerability factors for sexual victimization among women and men and may inform intervention efforts.

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“…Further in relation to diversity, it is a limitation that only heterosexual constellations were addressed in the study. However, the materials used in the present study can easily be adapted to match the sexual experience background of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) groups, who have been identified as having a higher vulnerability to sexual victimization and risk of sexual aggression perpetration (e.g., Canan et al, 2019 ; Eisenberg et al, 2017 ; López & Yeater, 2018 ). Finally, although invitations to participate in the study were sent out via a mailing list reaching all enrolled students, participants represent a convenience sample from only one university.…”

Section: Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changing Cognitive Risk Factors for Sexual Aggression: Risky Sexual Scripts, Low Sexual Self-Esteem, Perception of Pornography, and Acceptance of Sexual Coercion

Schuster

Tomaszewska

Krahé

2020

J Interpers Violence

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Sexual aggression is a problem among college students worldwide, and a growing body of research has identified variables associated with an increased risk of victimization and perpetration. Among these, sexuality-related cognitions, such as sexual scripts, sexual self-esteem, perceived realism of pornography, and acceptance of sexual coercion, play a major role. The current experimental study aimed to show that these cognitive risk factors of sexual aggression victimization and perpetration are amenable to change, which is a critical condition for evidence-based intervention efforts. College students in Germany ( N = 324) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a treatment group designed to change participants’ sexual scripts for consensual sex with regard to the role of alcohol consumption, casual sex, and ambiguous communication of sexual intentions as risk factors for sexual aggression (EG1), a treatment group designed to promote sexual self-esteem, challenge the perceived realism of pornography, and reduce the acceptance of sexual coercion (EG2), and a non-treatment control group (CG). Baseline (T1), post-experimental (T2), and follow-up (T3) measures were taken across an eight-week period. Sexual scripts contained fewer risk factors for sexual aggression in EG1 than in EG2 and CG at T3. Sexual self-esteem was enhanced in EG2 at T2 relative to the other two groups. Acceptance of sexual coercion was lower in EG2 than in EG1 and CG at T2 and T3. No effect was found for perceived realism of pornography. The findings are discussed in terms of targeting cognitive risk factors as a basis for intervention programs.

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Comparisons of Sexual Victimization Experiences among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Women

Cited by 27 publications

References 40 publications

Sexual minority substance use disparities: Bisexual women at elevated risk relative to other sexual minority groups

Sexual minority substance use disparities: Bisexual women at elevated risk relative to other sexual minority groups

Pathways from College Students’ Cognitive Scripts for Consensual Sex to Sexual Victimization: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

Changing Cognitive Risk Factors for Sexual Aggression: Risky Sexual Scripts, Low Sexual Self-Esteem, Perception of Pornography, and Acceptance of Sexual Coercion

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