The impact of sexual self-esteem on sexual risk detection in college women

Sexual assault victimization has been associated with poor risk recognition and low sexual self-esteem (Gidycz, McNamara, & Edwards, 2006; Schwartz & Shipiro, 1997). Evidence suggests that sexual self-esteem may precede risk recognition subsequently impacting victimization (Mayers, Heller, & Heller, 2003; Zeanah & Schwartz, 1996). The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct predictive impact of global and specific components of sexual self-esteem on risk recognition. Participants engaged a laboratory analog to measure risk detection and completed a series of questionnaires to measure sexual self-esteem. Results indicated that global sexual self-esteem is not predictive of risk recognition. In regard to individual components, attractiveness was found to be uniquely predictive of risk recognition. Specifically, women who believed they were physically attractive had better risk detection than women who did not view themselves as attractive. These findings are discussed in relationship to expanding the literature on sexual self-esteem and risk recognition.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A. Applied Psychology and Professional Mental Health Counseling

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Lucente, Lauren

Contributors dc:contributor

• Angelone, DJ

• Violence against women; Self-esteem
• Psychiatric and Mental Health

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/148

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1147