This study aimed to understand how the endorsement of dysfunctional sexual beliefs is associated with sexual self-esteem and sexually aggressive behavior in male college students; it further tested the mediating role of sexual self-esteem in the relationship between sexual beliefs and sexual aggression. Results revealed significant relationships between dysfunctional sexual beliefs and sexual aggression; even so, no mediating effects were found. Findings suggest that students' beliefs about sexuality, namely, a conservative pattern of sexual beliefs, work as predisposing factors for sexual aggression. The current results add to the knowledge on the preventive targets regarding sexual offending behavior in community samples.
Keywords: Sexual aggression; college students; sexual beliefs; sexual self-esteem.
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