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Interpersonal Factors in the Risk for Sexual Victimization and its Recurrence during Adolescence

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Abstract

Being a victim of sexual aggression from a peer is a common experience among adolescents and poses a significant risk for various forms of psychopathology. Unfortunately, little is known concerning specific interpersonal factors that increase an adolescent’s risk for experiencing sexual aggression. The current study assessed the contribution made by several interpersonal factors both for the first and repeated experience of becoming a victim of sexual aggression from a peer. Data were collected annually from a longitudinal sample of 200 adolescents over a period of 4 years and were analyzed using multiple-spell, discrete-time survival analysis. Approximately 46% of the adolescents reported experiencing some form of sexual aggression by the end of wave 4. Further, 65% of victims reported experiencing a repeat incident of aggression. Females were at higher risk both for initial and repeated victimization, as were adolescents with more sexual experience and higher levels of rejection sensitivity. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future prevention efforts.

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Acknowledgement

Preparation of this manuscript was supported by Grant 50106 from the National Institute of Mental Health (W. Furman, P.I.) and Grant HD049080 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (W. Furman, P.I.). Appreciation is expressed to the Project Star staff for their co-ordination of the data collection. Thanks also go to the adolescents, families, and schools who are participating in Project STAR.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Denver, 2155 S. Race Street, Denver, CO, 80208, USA

    Brennan J. Young & Wyndol Furman

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  1. Brennan J. Young
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  2. Wyndol Furman
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Correspondence to Wyndol Furman.

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Young, B.J., Furman, W. Interpersonal Factors in the Risk for Sexual Victimization and its Recurrence during Adolescence. J Youth Adolescence 37, 297–309 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-007-9240-0

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