Drinking Motivations and Experiences of Unwanted Sexual Advances Among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Objective This study examined the relationship between drinking motivations and college students’ experiences with unwanted sexual advances. Participants Undergraduates, from a public university in the mid-Atlantic region, who reported recent (30 day) alcohol use (n=289) completed an online survey midway through the spring 2007 academic semester. Methods Experiencing an unwanted sexual advance was the outcome of interest for the present study. The independent variables included socio-demographics and a three-factor (social ease, social image or reputation, emotional distress) drinking motivation measure. Prevalence estimates as well as unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were produced. Results A strong relationship was found between having an unwanted sexual advance and recent binge drinking as well as drinking to remove emotional distress (OR= 3.40 and 2.73 respectively for the total sample; OR=7.27 and 2.82 for females). Conclusions Findings suggest that experiencing an unwanted sexual advance is associated with specific drinking motivations and more likely to occur among females. Further research is needed to fully understand pathways and implications.

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