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Koss MP, Anderson R, Peterson ZD, Littleton H, Abbey A, Kowalski R, Thompson M, Canan S, White J, McCauley H, Orchowski L, Fedina L, Lopez E, Allen C. The Revised Sexual Experiences Survey Victimization Version (SES-V): Conceptualization, Modifications, Items and Scoring. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024; 61:839-867. [PMID: 38973060 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2358407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The Sexual Experiences Survey [SES] is considered the gold standard measure of non-consensual sexual experiences. This article introduces a new victimization version [SES-V] developed by a multidisciplinary collaboration, the first revision since 2007. The 2024 SES-V is designed to measure the construct of sexual exploitation since the 14th birthday. Notable revisions are adoption of a freely given permission standard for non-consent, introduction of new tactics and acts, including made to perform or to penetrate another person's body, tactics-first wording order, and emphasis on gender and sexual orientation inclusivity. The SES-V is modularized to allow whole or partial administration. Modules include Non-contact, Technology-facilitated, Illegal (largely penetrative), and Verbally pressured sexual exploitation. Tables provide item text, multiple scoring approaches, module follow-up, specific incident description and demographics. Future plans include developing a scoring algorithm based on weighting our hypothesized dimensions of sexual exploitation severity: invasiveness, pressure, and norm violation combined with frequency. This article is the first in a special issue on the SES-V. Subsequent articles focus on the taxonomies and literature that informed each module. The issue concludes with two empirical papers demonstrating the feasibility and validity of the SES-V: (1) psychometric comparison with the 2007 SES-SFV; and (2) prevalence data from a census-matched adult community sample.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - RaeAnn Anderson
- University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Nursing and Health Sciences
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Peterson ZD, Littleton HL, Anderson RE, Koss MP. Quantifying Criminal Sexual Acts: The Illegal Sexual Exploitation Module of the Revised Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization (SES-V) Measure. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024; 61:868-881. [PMID: 38973057 PMCID: PMC11239102 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2359049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Since the initial development of the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) four decades ago, the SES has been designed to measure a range of forms of sexual exploitation, including acts that are coercive but not legally sanctioned as well as acts that legally qualify as crimes. That feature was retained in the revised Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization (SES-V) measure. This article reviews the theoretical and empirical literature that guided the development of the Illegal Sexual Exploitation module of the SES-V, which measures experiences of nonconsensual exploitation resulting in sexual contact and which is designed to correspond to legal definitions across multiple jurisdictions. This article addresses research and applied contexts in which the distinction between legal and illegal sexual exploitation is important and the challenges and limitations involved in writing survey items that correspond to legal definitions. It also discusses revisions made to the items that make up the Illegal Sexual Exploitation module of the SES-V as compared to the illegal items in prior versions of the SES, including a new operationalization of non-consent and an expansion of the sexual acts and exploitative tactics that are included. Finally, the article discusses directions for future research on the Illegal Sexual Exploitation module of the SES-V.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë D Peterson
- Kinsey Institute and Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Indiana University
| | - Heather L Littleton
- Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience and Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Colorado, Springs
| | | | - Mary P Koss
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona
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Javidi H, Widman L, Maheux AJ, McCrimmon J, Evans-Paulson R, Becker W. PACT: Developing and Evaluating a Digital Sexual Consent Program for Youth. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024; 61:466-480. [PMID: 37186689 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2208560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding affirmative sexual consent is crucial for violence prevention and health promotion, yet few adolescents receive adequate consent education. The current study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a brief online program designed to teach adolescents information and skills about communicating and interpreting affirmative sexual consent (PACT: Promoting Affirmative Consent among Teens) in a randomized controlled trial with a national sample of 833 U.S. adolescents (ages 14-16; 42% White, 17% Asian, 17% Black, 13% Latinx; 53% girls, 31% boys, 12% non-binary; 45% heterosexual; 29% sexually active). PACT, grounded in health behavior change and persuasion theories, was developed using feedback from youth advisors and usability testers. Participants considered the program generally acceptable. Compared to youth who completed a control program, PACT was efficacious at shifting three measures of affirmative consent cognitions (i.e., knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy) from baseline to immediate posttest. Youth who completed PACT also demonstrated more accurate affirmative consent knowledge at 3 months post-baseline. PACT's effects on consent cognitions were generally similar among youth with various gender, racial/ethnic, and sexual identities. We discuss next steps for this program, including the possibilities of expanding to include additional concepts and tailoring to address the unique needs of specific youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Javidi
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University
| | - Laura Widman
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University
| | - Anne J Maheux
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
| | | | | | - Whitney Becker
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University
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Moran JB, Airington Z, McGee E, Murray DR. (Mis)Perceiving Sexual Intent: A Mixed-Method Approach Investigating Sexual Overperception Across Diverse Sexual Identities. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:511-524. [PMID: 38066352 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02748-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Research on perceptions of sexual interest has documented the tendency for men to overperceive sexual interest (i.e., to perceive a social signal as indicating more sexual intent than the actor intended). However, this work has almost exclusively focused upon these dynamics among heterosexual individuals. Thus, the current set of studies aimed to understand how perceptions of sexual interest manifest among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) women and men. In Study 1 (N = 85), LGB women and men nominated behaviors that signal sexual intent. Using an act nomination approach, LGB women and men tended to nominate behaviors similar to those nominated by heterosexual women and men. In Study 2 (N = 43), gay men reported acts that were representative of their own and other gay men's sexual interest. Consistent with previous work-by comparing perceived self-reported versus others' sexual intent when engaging in specific behaviors-we found no evidence for a sexual overperception bias in gay men, albeit in a small field study. In Study 3 (N = 307), using a gender-by-sexual orientation design, heterosexual and LGB women and men reported previous experiences in which their friendliness was sexually misperceived. Bisexual women were less likely than other groups to report their friendliness being misinterpreted as sexual by other bisexual women and/or lesbians. Additionally, across all genders and sexual orientations, participants reported feelings of indifference, awkwardness and embarrassment when being misperceived. Ultimately, the current studies' results provide broader insight into the nature of sexual overperception among LGB populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Moran
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.
| | - Zachary Airington
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA
| | - Emily McGee
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA
| | - Damian R Murray
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA
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Anyadike-Danes N, Reynolds M, Armour C, Lagdon S. Defining and Measuring Sexual Consent within the Context of University Students' Unwanted and Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences: A Systematic Literature Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:231-245. [PMID: 36639939 PMCID: PMC10666479 DOI: 10.1177/15248380221147558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Lack of sexual consent forms the foundation of unwanted (and nonconsensual) sexual experiences (USEs), yet research suggests it is not well understood amongst university students. While the prevalence of USEs has been well documented within the university context, less is known about how sexual consent is defined or measured. This review aims to identify a consistent sexual consent definition and how current research examining USEs defines and measures sexual consent amongst university students. A systematic review of nine electronic databases (2000-2022) was conducted, and the results were assessed against inclusion criteria (e.g., studies had to focus exclusively on university students). Thirty-three articles were identified and reviewed against the study aims. Sexual consent was more often implicitly defined across measures and articles. Four themes were identified (incapacitation, use of force, use of threats, and lack of wantedness) across the implicit definitions but varied by study with some implicitly defining sexual consent within the context of a relationship. Only three studies explicitly defined sexual consent, referring to it as a willingness to engage in sexual behavior. Measures assessed sexual consent communication or, attitudes and behaviors that might predict sexual aggression. Two studies examined students' individual sexual consent conceptualizations. Sexual consent appears to be contextual so future research should examine the variability of sexual consent in student samples. Students may indeed rely on implicit sexual consent definitions (rather than explicit) but more research is needed. Lastly, researchers should take care to be clear on their sexual consent definitions, both in text and within measures.
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Marcantonio TL, Valdez D, Jozkowski KN. Assessing Young Adults' Internal Feelings Related to Refusing Sexual Behavior. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2021; 58:1184-1193. [PMID: 34355996 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2021.1958195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Young people describe refusing sexual activity as difficult or embarrassing; however, what specific internal feelings young adults associate with refusing sexual activity is unclear. We assessed the positive and negative internal feelings related to refusing different sexual behaviors using sentiment analysis. We also examined if positive and negative internal refusal feelings varied by gender and the intersection of gender and racial/ethnic identity. Young adults (n = 574, 481 women, 93 men, M = 19.2, SD = 1.43) from Canada and the U.S. completed an open-ended survey about how they felt about their experiences refusing sexual activity. Using sentiment analysis, responses were coded as either positive or negative and overwhelmingly, feelings associated with refusing sexual activity were identified as negative. Women and women of color reported more negative feelings than men and White women. However, there were some distinct positive feelings noted from young adults (e.g., feeling respected, comfortable). Young adults appear to internalize negative feelings about their refusals which may relate to social and cultural norms. Moving forward, sexual health programs could focus on normalizing and destigmatizing refusals so that young adults do not feel negatively about refusing sexual activity, with a particular emphasis on helping women and women of color to feel confident and empowered in their refusals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany L Marcantonio
- Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas Fayetteville
- Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction
| | - Danny Valdez
- Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington Indiana University
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