The Importance of Substance-Related Sexual Victimization

Abstract

Data on risk perception, sexual victimization, and substance use were obtained via surveys from 496 female college students to determine what factors influence risk perception using a written vignette in which participants make a hypothetical decision to leave a potentially risky situation. Experiences of substance-related (SR) victimization, rather than forcible victimization, were associated with significantly delayed risk perception. SR victimization victims reported feeling uncomfortable significantly later and leaving the scenario significantly later than non-victims. SR victimization victims also had significantly higher scores on heavy episodic drinking (HED), marijuana use, alcohol-related tolerance, and blackouts. Both substance use (HED and marijuana use) and alcohol-related problems (tolerance and blackouts) mediated the link between SR victimization and risk perception in the form of behavioral leave response. In contrast, only HED and tolerance mediated the link between SR victimization and risk recognition. Findings suggest the importance of differentiating types of victimization in predicting risk perception and of addressing substance use in sexual victimization risk reduction interventions.

Changes in Risk Perception After Sexual Victimization: Are We Following the Right Track?

“…Correspondingly, a recent study found that female college students with a history of adolescent or adult sexual assault reported leaving the acquaintance scenario of the RPS later than students without a history of sexual assault (Neilson et al, 2018). In contrast with these results, however, other studies found no association between victimization history and leaving the acquaintance scenario later (Carlson & Duckworth, 2016; Eshelman, Messman, & Sheffer, 2015). One study suggested that leave scores may be relevant only to substance-related victimization (i.e., victimization when unable to give consent or resist due to alcohol or drugs), which was positively correlated with leaving the scenario later—as opposed to forcible assault (i.e., victimization when being threatened or physically forced; Eshelman et al, 2015).…”

Understanding sexual assault risk perception in college: Associations among sexual assault history, drinking to cope, and alcohol use

“…Future research should investigate whether these relations may be replicated among women who report low and high levels of typical weekly drinking. Further, a history of sexual assault is associated with use of other substance and polysubstance use (Eshelman, Messman-Moore, & Sheffer, 2015; Ruglass, Shevorykin, Brezing, Hu, & Hien, 2017), and marijuana has also been shown to influence risk perception (Eshelman et al, 2015). Further investigations should examine how different substances other than alcohol are associated with risk perception.…”

Alcohol-related blackouts among college students: impact of low level of response to alcohol, ethnicity, sex, and environmental characteristics

“…In the U.S., about 50% of college students who drink experience ARBs during their college years 3,4. These ARBs are related to additional alcohol-related adverse consequences, such as unwanted sex, emergency room visits, and early death 5-7. The heavy drinking patterns associated with ARBs could also indicate a vulnerability for developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD) 4,8.…”