title: Perception of teacher sexual misconduct by age of student.
abstract: This study explored whether student age influenced perceptions of teacher sexual misconduct. Participants (300 undergraduates) read scenarios depicting teacher sexual misconduct in which the student's age was varied (9, 12, 15), and then answered questions about their perceptions. Data were analyzed with 2 (respondent gender) 2 (cross-gender dyads) 3 (student age) MANOVAs. Experiences involving the youngest student were viewed as the most abusive, followed by the 12-year-old, and the 15-year-old. Gender differences were evident, with women viewing the experiences more negatively. Scenarios involving a male teacher/female student were viewed more negatively than a female teacher/male student dyad. These findings illustrate the importance of educating students and school personnel about teacher sexual misconduct.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA. mfromuth@mtsu.edu
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fromuth
authors.forename: Aimee R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Holt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D028743:Professional Misconduct / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology; D011639:Public Opinion; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration; D012938:Social Perception; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*