Citation

Rapoza KA, Drake JE. J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 2009; 70(1): 55-63.

Affiliation

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Mercy College, Mahoney Hall, 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19118392

Abstract

Objective: The current research was designed to identify subgroups among dating couples based on individual characteristics and a couple's dyadic pairing that contribute to the risk for male perpetration of sexual aggression and female victimization. Method: Heterosexual dating couples (N = 164) were recruited from a large university. They separately completed measures assessing the frequency of sexually aggressive acts perpetrated by the male partner (revised Conflict Tactics Scales), hazardous alcohol use (AUDIT-C), alcohol expectancies (shortened Alcohol Expectancies Questionnaire), emotional commitment, and relationship length. Results: A two-step cluster analyses revealed two distinct subgroups of dating couples. Dating partners in Cluster 2, compared with Cluster 1, were less emotionally committed, in a shorter relationship, engaged in more hazardous alcohol use, possessed stronger alcohol expectancies, and were younger. Further, male partners in Cluster 2 perpetrated more sexual aggression, sexual coercion, and threatened/forced sex compared with men in Cluster 1. Conclusions: Using cluster analytic techniques, this study extended past research by identifying individual and couple-level characteristics that contributed to the risk for male sexual aggression perpetration and female victimization. Younger couples in the early stages of a dating relationship, who are less committed to each other, and who are both engaging in hazardous drinking and possess stronger alcohol expectancies are more at risk. Including a discussion in prevention programs that make individuals cognizant of not only their own but also their partner's characteristics as a risk for sexual aggression and coercion might provide young adults with better skills to assess risky situations. 

Language: en