Date of Award

May 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

RaeAnn E. Anderson

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between victimization and perpetration of sexual violence, referred to as victim-offender overlap, and explained this relationship through theories such as the cycle of violence. The current study examined this relationship by grouping participants based on experiences of victimization only, perpetration only, and both victimization and perpetration (both group). Exploratory analysis also considered childhood sexual abuse. Interpersonal and psychological risk factors relevant to perpetration prevention programming were then analyzed between groups. Participants consisted of 486 college men recruited from Kent State University’s psychology subject pool who completed an online survey through Qualtrics. It was found that those with victimization only had greater interpersonal difficulties than nonviolence exposed controls (p=0.034*, d=0.497) and that those with perpetration experiences, including those in the perpetration only group (p=0.012*, d=0.583) and the both group (p<0.001*, d=0.438), had greater levels of impulsivity than nonviolence exposed controls. Additionally, violence exposed groups had significantly more knowledge of victimization (p<.001*, Cramer’s V=0.285) and perpetration (p<.001*, Cramer’s V=0.294) amongst peers than nonviolence exposed controls. Consistent findings were found in the exploratory analysis with several additional findings. Given this combination of individual and social risk factors, perpetration prevention efforts should use a combination of skills-based and bystander intervention techniques. Further analysis of the overlap between victimization and perpetration of sexual violence and the associated interpersonal and psychological risk factors will allow for more effective prevention interventions to be established for men.

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