Contextual Influences on Sexual Violence Perpetration Among Early Adolescents

• In Event: 52.085 - Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: 52.085-10 - Sexual Violence Perpetration by Adolescents: Contextual Issues

Abstract

Multilevel modeling and social network analysis were used to investigate sexual violence perpetration among middle school youth. Specifically, peer group contextual effects in terms of the influence of traditional masculinity ideology and dismissive attitudes toward sexual violence on rates of sexual violence perpetration were assessed. Participants included 191 students from one Midwestern middle school. Results indicated that greater adherence to traditional masculinity attitudes was significantly predictive of greater individual level sexual violence perpetration. Furthermore, peer group level endorsement of dismissive attitudes toward sexual violence was significantly predictive of individual level sexual violence perpetration. Sexual violence prevention programming must address peer influences.

Authors

• Namrata Doshi, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Dorothy L. Espelage, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign