Factors associated with rape-supportive attitudes: sociodemographic variables, aggressive personality, and sexist attitudes

Span J Psychol. 2010 May;13(1):202-9. doi: 10.1017/s1138741600003784.

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of various sociodemographic variables and estimate the impact of additional psychological factors (aggressive personality traits and the sexual double standard) on rape-supportive attitudes. A sample of 700 men and 800 women from El Salvador aged between 18 and 40 years completed the Social Desirability Scale, the Double Standard Scale, the Aggression Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 and the Rape-Supportive Attitude Scale. Results show gender-based and age-based differences in rape-supportive attitudes, as well as an interaction between gender and age. They also highlight the importance of the sexual double standard and aggressive personality traits in explaining such attitudes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aggression / psychology*
  • Anger
  • Attitude*
  • El Salvador
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • Hostility
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Prejudice*
  • Psychometrics
  • Rape / psychology*
  • Social Desirability
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Students / psychology
  • Young Adult