The Differential Influence of Drinking, Sensation Seeking, and Impulsivity on the Perpetration of Unwanted Sexual Advances and Sexual Coercion

Network Analysis of Sexual Sensation Seeking, Internalized Homophobia, and Social Norms Among Men Who Have Sex with Men with Different Sexual Partner Types

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at disproportionate risk for developing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV. Understanding the relationships among factors related to risky sexual behaviors, such as internalized homophobia, sexual sensation seeking, and individual and community norms, among MSM with different sexual partner types may contribute to designing targeted interventions for reducing risky sexual behaviors and STI transmission. We conducted a cross-sectional study recruiting 781 MSM in Sichuan Province, China. All participants were divided into groups with and without sexual partners, groups with regular and casual sexual partners, and groups with only male and both male and female partners in the past 6 months. Network analysis was used to analyze the relationships among dimensions of self-reported sexual sensation seeking, internalized homophobia, and social norms in different groups. Of 781 MSM, 606 (77.6%) had sexual partners in the past 6 months, and among these participants, 429 (70.8%) had casual sexual partners, and 103 (17.0%) had both male and female sexual partners. The complex and intensive relationships between dimensions were mainly observed in networks of MSM with any type of sexual partners, with individual norms (dimension of social norms) presenting strongly negative relationships with fresh feeling (dimension of sexual sensation seeking) and homosexuality morality (dimension of internalized homophobia). One dimension of sexual sensation seeking (i.e., fresh feeling) and two dimensions of internalized homophobia (i.e., homosexuality morality and self-identification) were relatively central variables in most groups, especially for those with casual sexual partners. Our study highlights the role of individual norms in restraining sensation seeking, internalized homophobia, especially among MSM with sexual partners. Intervention targeting these central variables may contribute to reduced risky sexual behaviors and further slow the spread of STIs in MSM.

Typical Drinking, Sensation Seeking, and Alcohol Expectancies Regarding Sexual Coercion as Predictors of Coercive Condom Use Resistance Perpetration

Although condoms are effective at preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies, condom use resistance (CUR) remains prominent. In particular, coercive CUR, or the use of coercive tactics to resist condom use with a partner who wants to use one, comprises a unique combination of sexual aggression and risky sexual behaviors, making it especially problematic. The present study sought to examine the relationship between coercive CUR and a variety of factors associated with both sexual aggression and risky sexual behaviors (e.g., typical alcohol consumption, alcohol expectancies regarding sexual aggression, and sensation seeking) to determine whether such factors may also contribute to the etiology of coercive CUR. To do so, a nationwide study of 102 young, heterosexual men who had previously perpetrated coercive CUR were recruited to complete an online, cross-sectional survey. Data were analyzed using a hierarchical linear regression model, which showed that alcohol expectancies regarding sexual coercion and sensation seeking moderated the relationship between typical drinking quantity and previous coercive CUR perpetration, such that typical drinking was positively associated with coercive CUR among men who reported greater sensation seeking and alcohol expectancies regarding sexual coercion. However, among men who were low in one or both of these factors, typical drinking was not associated with coercive CUR. These results suggest that typical drinking, alcohol expectancies, and sensation seeking may all be important to the etiology of coercive CUR, and that a reduction in one or more may be sufficient to reduce the likelihood of coercive CUR perpetration. Future research should confirm these findings using experimental and/or longitudinal methodologies and seek to develop intervention programs targeting typical alcohol use, alcohol expectancies related to sexual coercion, and sensation seeking in young men.

The Dark Triad and Sexual Assertiveness Predict Sexual Coercion Differently in Men and Women

Sexual coercion is a global problem that has been studied widely with regard to various characteristics of the perpetrators. The Dark Triad of personality (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, and primary and secondary psychopathy) has been indicated as an important predictor of coercive cognitions and behaviors. In this study, we report findings of an online study (N = 208), exploring the relationship between sexual coercion, the Dark Triad, and sexual assertiveness (i.e., strategies for achieving sexual autonomy). We found that the Dark Triad was a stronger predictor of sexual coercion in men than in women. In men, all the Dark Triad components were significantly, positively correlated with sexual coercion, and narcissism and Machiavellianism had significant, negative correlations with sexual assertiveness. In women, only narcissism had a significant, positive correlation with sexual coercion, and the Dark Triad traits were not correlated with sexual assertiveness. In regression analyses, controlling for shared variance between the predictor variables, high secondary psychopathy, and low sexual assertiveness emerged as significant predictors of coercion in men. Only narcissism was a significant positive predictor in women. We discuss the results with a reference to evolutionary Life History theory.

Predicting Sexual Offenders' Specialization/Versatility: The Role of Impulsivity and Moral Reasoning

The main purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the predictive ability of impulsivity and moral reasoning on offending specialization/versatility. The latter was measured using the diversity index which calculates the amount of variation within an individual's criminal history. The sample consisted of 88 individuals convicted of sexual offenses incarcerated in a Portuguese prison. Group comparisons and multiple linear regression analyses on untransformed and corrected versions of the diversity index were conducted. Overall, the different versions of the diversity index presented disparate results. Individuals were found to be generally alike, but those convicted of rape tended to be more versatile than those who molested extrafamilial children. Moral reasoning was the strongest predictor of offending specialization/versatility, while impulsivity was mostly not statistically significant. A better understanding of these predictors' roles on offending specialization/versatility, as it relates to recidivism, is important to tailor successful interventions.

Examining the Roles of Heavy Episodic Drinking, Drinking Venues, and Sociosexuality in College Men's Sexual Aggression

OBJECTIVE

College men's alcohol consumption is positively associated with sexual aggression perpetration, yet men's drinking does not typically predict later sexual assault after accounting for risk factors, such as impersonal sexuality. In the present study, we tested an indirect effects model whereby college men's impersonal sex orientation and heavy episodic drinking (HED) were hypothesized to contribute to sexual aggression perpetration via more frequent attendance at drinking venues (parties, bars).

METHOD

Freshman males (N = 1,043) were recruited to participate in a five-semester study. Key measures included the Sociosexuality Index as a measure of impersonal sex attitudes and behaviors, frequency of HED, and frequency of attending drinking venues (parties, bars). The dichotomous outcome measure was based on the Sexual Strategies Survey, a measure of tactics used to convince a female partner to have sex. Structural equation modeling was used to examine whether sociosexuality attitudes, sociosexuality behaviors, and HED (all measured at Wave 1) would have direct and indirect effects on use of Wave 5 sexual aggression tactics, through effects on Wave 3 venue attendance.

RESULTS

The model supported the hypothesized indirect effects of sociosexuality and HED via men's subsequent drinking venue attendance and was preferred over alternative models.

CONCLUSIONS

College men who more frequently attended drinking "hot spots" were more likely to perpetrate subsequent sexual aggression, supporting a growing body of evidence on the importance of drinking venues in college sexual assault. Findings also help to explicate the mechanism underlying the robust role of impersonal sex orientation in sexual aggression.

Sex Differences in Problem Alcohol Use in High School as a Function of Recent Sexual Violence Victimization or Perpetration

To investigate sex differences in associations between sexual violence victimization (SVV), sexual violence perpetration (SVP), and binge drinking and/or alcohol problems among high school students. While SVV has been linked to problem alcohol use among young women, little research has addressed the unique associations of SVV and SVP on alcohol use/problems within both sexes. A cross-sectional analysis of 16,992 high school students' self-reports of past-year SVP and SVV was used where SVV/SVP was defined by three tactics (sexual coercion, drug/alcohol-facilitated or incapacitated sex, and physically forced sex). Alcohol measures included past-month binge drinking and past-year alcohol problems. Rates of SVV were twice as high in females (21.2% vs. 13.3%), and SVP rates were twice as high in males (10.9% vs. 5.2%). SVV and SVP were each associated with an increased rate of current binge drinking and problem alcohol use for both sexes, across increasing numbers of SV tactics and within each of three tactics. After controlling for demographic and other risk factors including SVP, drug/alcohol-facilitated or incapacitated SVV was more strongly linked to binge drinking and alcohol problems among females. SVP was more strongly linked to binge drinking and alcohol problems among males (adjusting for SVV and other covariates). No sex differences emerged in associations between coerced or physically forced SVV/SVP and alcohol-related outcomes. Both SVV and SVP are associated with an increased likelihood of binge drinking and alcohol problems for males and females. Important sex differences emerged when SV tactics are considered.

Examining the Roles of Heavy Episodic Drinking, Drinking Venues, and Sociosexuality in College Men's Sexual Aggression

OBJECTIVE

College men's alcohol consumption is positively associated with sexual aggression perpetration, yet men's drinking does not typically predict later sexual assault after accounting for risk factors, such as impersonal sexuality. In the present study, we tested an indirect effects model whereby college men's impersonal sex orientation and heavy episodic drinking (HED) were hypothesized to contribute to sexual aggression perpetration via more frequent attendance at drinking venues (parties, bars).

METHOD

Freshman males (N = 1,043) were recruited to participate in a five-semester study. Key measures included the Sociosexuality Index as a measure of impersonal sex attitudes and behaviors, frequency of HED, and frequency of attending drinking venues (parties, bars). The dichotomous outcome measure was based on the Sexual Strategies Survey, a measure of tactics used to convince a female partner to have sex. Structural equation modeling was used to examine whether sociosexuality attitudes, sociosexuality behaviors, and HED (all measured at Wave 1) would have direct and indirect effects on use of Wave 5 sexual aggression tactics, through effects on Wave 3 venue attendance.

RESULTS

The model supported the hypothesized indirect effects of sociosexuality and HED via men's subsequent drinking venue attendance and was preferred over alternative models.

CONCLUSIONS

College men who more frequently attended drinking "hot spots" were more likely to perpetrate subsequent sexual aggression, supporting a growing body of evidence on the importance of drinking venues in college sexual assault. Findings also help to explicate the mechanism underlying the robust role of impersonal sex orientation in sexual aggression.