Predictors of Assertive and Nonassertive Styles of Self-Defense Behavior During a Lab-Based Sexual Assault Scenario

Authors

RaeAnn E. Anderson, University of North DakotaFollow
Shawn P. Cahill
Kristin E. Silver
Douglas D. Delahanty

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2019

Publication Title

Violence Against Women

Abstract

The current study examined how psychological factors influence hypothetical behavioral responses to threat (BRTT). College women (n = 113) with a history of sexual victimization completed a standardized lab-based self-defense scenario. Interpersonal skills, coping style, and assertive and non-assertive BRTT during a prior assault predicted assertive BRTT during the task. The use of non-assertive BRTT during past assaults no longer predicted assertive BRTT during the task when accounting for rape acknowledgment. Findings regarding rape acknowledgment demonstrate the complexity of recovery from sexual assault. Our results highlight interpersonal skills as an intervention target for innovative sexual assault risk reduction interventions.

DOI

10.1177/1077801219828542

ISSN

1552-8448

Rights

Published as: Anderson, R. E., Cahill, S. P., Silver, K. E., & Delahanty, D. L. (2019). Predictors of Assertive and Nonassertive Styles of Self-Defense Behavior During a Lab-Based Sexual Assault Scenario. Violence Against Women. Copyright © 2019 SAGE Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801219828542

Recommended Citation

RaeAnn E. Anderson, Shawn P. Cahill, Kristin E. Silver, et al.. "Predictors of Assertive and Nonassertive Styles of Self-Defense Behavior During a Lab-Based Sexual Assault Scenario" (2019). Psychology Faculty Publications. 9.
https://commons.und.edu/psych-fac/9