The Sexual Self-Perceptions of Young Women Experiencing Abuse in Dating Relationships

Offman, Alia; Matheson, Kimberly

doi:10.1007/s11199-004-5465-5

Cited by 30 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Prior studies have found support for negative sexual self-perceptions among CSA survivors that encompass qualities such as guilt regarding sexual activities and feelings (Walser & Kern, 1996), perceptions of self as promiscuous (Fromuth, 1986), views of sexuality in hostile terms (Schloredt & Heiman, 2003), and feeling as if sex is bad and dirty due to the abuse events and messages received from the perpetrator (Maltz, 1991). In addition, negative sexual self-perceptions have been associated with physical and psychological abuse as well as sexual coercion in adult intimate relationships (Offman & Matheson, 2004). The discrepancies between these findings and those of previous studies examining the sexual selfschemas of CSA survivors call into question the content validity of the Sexual Self-Schema Scale for CSA survivors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Sexual Self-Schemas of Female Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: Relationships with Risky Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assault in Adolescence

Niehaus

Jackson

Davies³

2010

Arch Sex Behav

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Childhood sexual trauma has been demonstrated to increase survivors' risk for engaging in unrestricted sexual behaviors and experiencing adolescent sexual assault. The current study used the sexual self-schema construct to examine cognitive representations of sexuality that might drive these behavioral patterns. In Study 1 (N = 774), we attempted to improve the content validity of the Sexual Self Schema Scale for child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors, introducing a fourth sexual self-schema factor titled the "immoral/irresponsible" factor. In Study 2 (N = 1150), the potential differences in sexual self-views, as assessed by the four sexual self-schema factors, between CSA survivors and non-victims were explored. In addition, Study 2 evaluated how these sexual self-schema differences may contribute to participation in unrestricted sexual behaviors and risk for sexual assault in adolescence. Results indicated that a history of CSA impacted the way women viewed themselves as a sexual person on each of the four factors. CSA survivors were found to view themselves as more open and possessing more immoral/irresponsible cognitions about sexuality as compared to women who did not have a CSA history. In addition, the CSA survivors endorsed less embarrassment and passionate/romantic views of their sexual selves. The interaction of CSA severity and the sexual self-schemas explained variance in adolescent sexual assault experiences above and beyond the severity of CSA history and participation in risky sexual behaviors. The findings suggest that sexual self-views may serve to moderate the relationship between CSA and adolescent sexual assault. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Sexual Self-Schemas of Female Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: Relationships with Risky Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assault in Adolescence

Niehaus

Jackson

Davies³

2010

Arch Sex Behav

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“…They were less satisfied with their relationships as well. Similarly, Offman and Matheson (2004) reported that women in physically or psychologically abusive or sexually coercive relationships, compared to women who were not, were more depressed and had more negative sexual selfperceptions. Last, women who experienced psychological aggression from men in dating relationships were more likely to express bulimic symptoms and attempt to diet (Skomorovsky et al 2006).…”

Section: Interpersonal Scriptsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Has Dating Become More Egalitarian? A 35 Year Review Using Sex Roles

2011

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In this selective review, we examined research on heterosexual dating published in Sex Roles since its inception to determine if dating practices have become more egalitarian over the past 35 years. An analysis of current best-selling dating advice books suggests that gender roles continue to be institutionalized in cultural scripts. A sexual scripts framework was used to categorize research findings to determine if the empirical evidence confirmed the durability of gender roles over time or revealed that dating has become less gendertyped. Research in Sex Roles suggests that heterosexual dating among young adults in the U. S. remains highly gender-typed in terms of cultural scripts (e.g., beliefs, ideals, and expectations), as well as interpersonal scripts (e.g., actual interpersonal emotions, interpersonal behaviors, or behaviors aimed at achieving or signaling a partner). Some variability was observed in interpersonal scripts in terms of occasional initiation of dates by women, for instance, but was not sufficiently widely used to challenge the dominant script. Functional reasons for the persistence of gender stereotypes in dating are presented. In addition, a friendship script is proposed as an alternative, egalitarian model of dating that might fulfill the same functions.

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“…Indeed, research has documented that victims experience reactions ranging from moderately upsetting to extremely distressing. Adjustment difficulties such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and negative sexual self-perceptions (De Visser, Rissel, Richters, & Smith, 2007;Offman & Matheson, 2004) often prevent victims from functioning adequately in their day-to-day lives and engaging in healthy interpersonal relationships. These significant repercussions underscore the need to broaden our understanding of the actual frequency of SC and its impact.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Coercion Victimization and Perpetration in Heterosexual Couples: A Dyadic Investigation

et al. 2010

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Sexual coercion (SC), or making another person engage in sexual activity despite his or her unwillingness to do so, has been shown to have negative consequences for victims, namely depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and a negative view of one's sexual self. The goals of the present study were to investigate the rate of SC victimization and perpetration, inter-partner agreement concerning its occurrence, in addition to its degree of reciprocity within a sample of 222 heterosexual couples. SC within previous romantic relationships was also examined. Results showed that less than 30% of couples agreed on the occurrence of sexual coercion within their ongoing relationship. Moreover, dyadic responses rather than individual responses provided a more accurate estimation of the frequency of SC. Over one in two couples reported experiencing some SC. More specifically, 45% of couples reported female victimization, 30% reported male victimization, and 20% reported reciprocal SC. Conversely, both men and women reported more SC victimization within previous relationships than in their current one. Findings suggest that SC is a common, pervasive problem within couples and that it is underreported by both victims and perpetrators, regardless of gender. Consequently, more systematic research, prevention and intervention efforts are warranted.

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The Sexual Self-Perceptions of Young Women Experiencing Abuse in Dating Relationships

Cited by 30 publications

References 32 publications

Sexual Self-Schemas of Female Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: Relationships with Risky Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assault in Adolescence

Sexual Self-Schemas of Female Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: Relationships with Risky Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assault in Adolescence

Has Dating Become More Egalitarian? A 35 Year Review Using Sex Roles

Sexual Coercion Victimization and Perpetration in Heterosexual Couples: A Dyadic Investigation

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