Risk and Protective Factors for Men’s Sexual Violence Against Women at Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic and Meta-Analytic Review of the Longitudinal Evidence

Abstract

Sexual violence among higher education institution (HEI) students is a growing public health concern. To date, there is little evidence on how to effectively prevent sexual violence among this demographic. This study is the first systematic review to meta-analyze all available evidence for risk and protective factors of sexual violence perpetrated by men at HEIs. We searched four electronic databases and multiple gray literature sources. We screened studies using prespecified selection criteria for the sample (HEI students who identify as men), outcome (sexual violence perpetration against peers), and study design (quantitative and longitudinal). Longitudinal studies provide the most rigorous available evidence on risk and protective factors. We identified 16 studies and meta-analyzed eight different risk factors: alcohol consumption, hostility toward women, delinquency, fraternity membership, history of sexual violence perpetration, rape myth acceptance, age at first sex, and peer approval of sexual violence. We deemed included studies to have a varied risk of bias and the overall quality of evidence to range from moderate to high. History of sexual violence perpetration (perpetration prior to entering an HEI) emerged as the strongest predictor of sexual violence perpetration at HEIs, complicating the notion that HEI environments themselves foster a culture of sexual violence. Peer support for sexual violence predicted perpetration while individual rape-supporting beliefs did not. Our findings suggest that interventions targeting peer norms (e.g., bystander interventions) and early sexual violence prevention and consent interventions for high school and elementary school students could be effective in reducing and preventing sexual violence at HEIs.

Risk Markers for Male Perpetration of Sexual Assault on College Campuses: A Meta-Analysis

“…Peer approval of SA also emerged as one of the strongest risk markers for SA perpetration among male college students. Although this association has been documented in previous research (e.g., Steele et al, 2020; Tharp et al, 2013), the strength of the association is important to note. Although all men face societal expectations of masculinity, peer influence is especially important during college given peers are “the single most potent source of influence on growth and development during the undergraduate years” (Astin, 1993, p. 398).…”

Intention of Staff and Students to Use Internal Whistleblowing to Report Sexual Violence: A Case Study of a Nigerian University

“…In higher education institutions, sexual violence is a recurrent menace mostly among male and female students (Kefale et al, 2021;Steele et al, 2022). In Nigeria, sexual violence has been termed an epidemic as many cases have been reported in the past few years mostly among the young populations (Achunike & Kitause, 2014).…”

Development and validation of the C‐SHADE scale for measuring perpetration of common sexually harassing and aggressive behaviors in drinking environments

“…A positive relationship between SA in drinking settings and higher alcohol consumption would also support convergent validity, given the long‐established relationship between alcohol consumption and general aggression (e.g., Pernanen, 1976), strong evidence for a relationship generally between SA and drinking at the time that SA is perpetrated (Abbey et al, 2014; Crane et al, 2016; Testa, 2002), as well as evidence of a relationship between perpetration of SA and being a heavier drinker (Abbey et al, 2014; Li et al, 2010; O'Connor et al, 2021; Steele et al, 2022). Some research suggests that a positive relationship between heavy drinking and SA is found only for perpetrators who committed SA when drinking (Kingree & Thompson, 2015; Zawacki et al, 2003), suggesting that SA in drinking contexts may have a stronger relationship with drinking pattern than for SA generally.…”