Sexual victimization in female and male college students: examining the roles of alcohol use, alcohol expectancies, and sexual sensation seeking

Subst Use Misuse. 2010 Nov;45(13):2258-80. doi: 10.3109/10826081003694854. Epub 2010 Apr 13.

Abstract

Alcohol and alcohol expectancies relate to sexual victimization. The present study examined these links in a sample of 407 predominantly Hispanic male and female college students, along the Mexico-US border. The study also examined the independent contribution of sexual sensation seeking to the prediction of victimization. Results showed that victimization was associated with alcohol risk, alcohol consumption-related problems, and positive alcohol expectancies. Importantly, sexual sensation seeking independently predicted victimization and did so after controlling for alcohol risk and expectancies. Our results suggest that associations among victimization, alcohol risk, and expectancies generalize to Hispanic women and men. The study's limitations are noted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects*
  • Crime Victims*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New Mexico
  • Risk Factors
  • Sensation*
  • Sexual Behavior*
  • Students
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Texas
  • Universities
  • Young Adult