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. 2018 Mar:78:178-186.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.11.022. Epub 2017 Nov 14.

Understanding sexual assault risk perception in college: Associations among sexual assault history, drinking to cope, and alcohol use

Elizabeth C Neilson  1 , Elizabeth R Bird  2 , Isha W Metzger  3 , William H George  2 , Jeanette Norris  4 , Amanda K Gilmore  5
Affiliations

Understanding sexual assault risk perception in college: Associations among sexual assault history, drinking to cope, and alcohol use

Elizabeth C Neilson et al. Addict Behav. 2018 Mar.

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual assault history and alcohol use are associated with higher likelihood of subsequent sexual assault. Alcohol use and drinking to cope are associated with re-assault, but it is unclear whether these factors are associated with malleable constructs like sexual assault risk perception. This study examined typical weekly drinking and drinking to cope motive as factors underlying the association between sexual assault history and risk perception.

Methods: Both perceived likelihood of experiencing incapacitated sexual assault and when to leaving a hypothetical sexual assault scenario were assessed as indicators of sexual assault risk perception. 660 female college students recruited from psychology courses completed questionnaires online.

Results: Results revealed that sexual assault history severity was positively associated with perceived incapacitated sexual assault likelihood and when to leave a risky scenario. Drinking to cope with anxiety was positively associated with perceived incapacitated sexual assault likelihood. Among women who reported regular drinking, typical weekly drinking was positively associated with when to leave a risky scenario, such that women who reported more weekly drinks stayed in a potentially risky scenario longer than women who reported fewer weekly drinks.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that alcohol use and drinking to cope with anxiety are associated with risk perception. Sexual assault history was associated with both perceived incapacitated sexual assault likelihood and when to leave a hypothetical scenario. Alcohol use and drinking to cope are two potential points of intervention for sexual assault risk reduction programs, but further examination is needed.

Keywords: College women; Drinking to cope; Risk perception; Sexual assault.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

All authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Hypothesized and final path model for full sample
Note: ***p < .001; **p < .01; *p < .05; + p = .06 Both significant (solid arrows) and non-significant (dotted arrows) paths are indicated in the model.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Final Model for Regular Drinkers
Note: ***p < .001; **p < .01; *p < .05; + p = .06 Both significant (solid arrows) and non-significant (dotted arrows) paths are indicated in the model.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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