Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


ohiou1314296269.pdf (1.81 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Factors Predicting the Type of Tactics Used to Resist Sexual Assault: A Prospective Study

Wilson, Susan M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1314296269

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Psychology (Arts and Sciences).
In recent years, research has begun to focus on women's behavioral responses in sexual assault situations. Resistance strategies have been classified into assertive verbal, assertive physical, and nonforceful resistance. Research has identified that more assertive types of resistance are more effective in defending against rape and has recognized a variety of factors as barriers to women responding assertively. The current study expanded upon past research in this area by examining the psychological components of the cognitive-ecological model, including the constructs of psychological distress, alcohol use, and optimistic bias to determine their impact on the prediction of women's resistance strategies and explored mediators of the relationship between past sexual victimization and nonforceful resistance. The data from the current study significantly predicted women's use of all three types of resistance. Decreased alcohol consumption at time of the attack, increased anger, confidence, offender-blame, and decreased self-blame significantly predicted women's use of assertive verbal resistance. Women who drank less alcohol at the time of their sexual assault were also more likely to use assertive physical resistance strategies. Increased anger was predictive of nonforceful resistance. The model exploring mediators between past sexual assault and women's use of nonforceful responding was not able to be tested because this initial relationship was not significant. Exploratory analyses were conducted. Implications for future research, sexual assault risk reduction programming, and therapeutic interventions are discussed.
Christine Gidycz, PhD (Committee Chair)
Julie Owens, PhD (Committee Member)
Julie Suhr, PhD (Committee Member)
173 p.
Psychology
Sexual assault; resistance; violence against women

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wilson, S. M. (2011). Factors Predicting the Type of Tactics Used to Resist Sexual Assault: A Prospective Study [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1314296269

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wilson, Susan. Factors Predicting the Type of Tactics Used to Resist Sexual Assault: A Prospective Study. 2011. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1314296269.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wilson, Susan. "Factors Predicting the Type of Tactics Used to Resist Sexual Assault: A Prospective Study." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1314296269

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1314296269
626
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.