Sexual revictimization and interpersonal effectiveness.
This study utilized a cross-sectional design in order to explore the relationship between interpersonal effectiveness, defined as level of assertiveness, social perception, and perceived self-efficacy, and repeated sexual victimization in adolescence and adulthood. In addition, we compared global versus situation-specific measures of interpersonal effectiveness. Results indicated that global measures of interpersonal effectiveness failed to differentiate victim groups, and there were also no group differences in social perception. However, on situation-specific measures, revictimized women were significantly lower than nonvictims on sexual assertiveness and sexual self-efficacy. These results support the hypothesis that interpersonal functioning is related to sexual revictimization and highlight the need to measure interpersonal functioning specifically in sexual situations as it relates to women's sexual assault history.
Kearns
Megan C
MC
University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.
Calhoun
Karen S
KS
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D001242:Assertiveness; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult