Risky sex: testing moderated mediation among college students

Abstract

Purpose Risky sexual behavior (RSB) on college campuses contributes to elevated rates of sexually transmitted infections and sexual assault. Research indicates a positive association between sexual victimization history (SVH) and RSB with alcohol use and sexual sensation seeking as mediators to this association. Hypermasculinity has also been shown to play a moderating role amongst these associations. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to test the associations between RSB, SVH, alcohol use, sexual sensation seeking, and hypermasculinity. Design/methodology/approach Participants were 493 undergraduates who completed measures of RSB, SVH, alcohol use, sexual sensation seeking, and hypermasculinity. A moderated mediation model was run examining the association between SVH and RSB, with alcohol use and sexual sensation seeking tested as mediators of the relationship between SVH and RSB. In addition, hypermasculinity was tested as a moderator of the mediated relationship between SVH and the aforementioned mediator variables. Findings Alcohol use and sexual sensation seeking partially mediated the association between SVH and RSB. Masculinity moderated the association between SVH and RSB via sexual sensation seeking and between SVH and RSB via alcohol use. Research limitations/implications Individuals with SVH might be at a higher risk for alcohol use and sexual sensation seeking, ultimately increasing their risk for RSB. University policy implications include implementing alcohol use and awareness interventions, strengthening sexual victimization policies, and including screenings for SVH at counseling and medical centers. Originality/value Previous findings were extended by showing how SVH leads to RSB.

Disparities in Adolescent Dating Violence and Associated Internalizing and Externalizing Mental Health Symptoms by Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation

“…Results indicated adolescents identifying as female, non-White, and LGBQ were more likely to report experiencing physical TDV and sexual TDV than their male, White, heterosexual peers, aligning with prior research findings (Hipwell et al, 2013;Kann et al, 2016;Vagi et al, 2015). This may be reflective of toxic masculinity/hypermasculinity in TDV perpetration, influencing who experiences TDV (Silverstein et al, 2017), as males who have hypermasculine traits may be more likely to target more marginalized and vulnerable persons. Beyond main effects, there were differences in intersectional identity by TDV experience.…”

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mental Health, and Risk Behaviors in Adulthood: Exploring Sex, Racial, and Ethnic Group Differences in a Nationally Representative Sample

“…Participation in risky sexual behavior varies across sex and racial and ethnic identity. Research broadly demonstrates that men are more likely to report engaging in risky sexual behavior compared with women (Fix et al, 2019;Silverstein et al, 2017). In addition, reported rates of risky sexual behavior are often higher among African American and Latinx Americans compared with White Americans (Fix et al, 2019).…”

Polyvictimization and Sexual Risk Behaviors in College-Aged Women

“…This measure accounts for RSB that occurs while under the influence of alcohol or a person’s expectations about sexual behaviors while under the influence of alcohol. A recent study of college men and women found that alcohol use mediated the relationship between sexual victimization and RSB (Silverstein, Fix, & Alexander, 2017). Thus, future research should investigate this relationship and consider alcohol use as a mediating variable between polyvictimization and RSB.…”