Past Year Sexual Violence Victimization Among U.S. College Students: Associations with Current Alcohol Misuse, Negative Affect, and Self-Harm Behaviors

Introduction:

Sexual violence is an important public health problem on many college campuses, and those who are victimized are at elevated risk for several negative psychosocial outcomes. The present study examined prevalence rates for several types of sexual violence victimization among a large sample of second year college students in the United States. We also examined how victimization was associated with alcohol misuse, negative affect, and self-harm behaviors.

Methods:

The sample consisted of second year undergraduates (N=21,433) attending 60 colleges and universities participating in the National College Health Association II (NCHA II) survey. The sample represents pooled data collected from second year students in the Fall of 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Students completed a survey assessing sexual victimization over the past year at the beginning of their second year of college, as well as current alcohol misuse, negative affect, and self-harm behaviors. Participating students were white (71.2%), Black (7.5%), Latino/Hispanic (12.5%), Asian or Pacific Islander (11%), Native American (2%) or other (2%). The gender breakdown was 67.2% female and 32.5% male, and most students (57.2%) reported that they were not currently in a relationship.

Results:

Findings indicated rates of sexual violence, alcohol misuse, negative affect, and self-harm behaviors depended in part on demographic variables including gender, racial and sexual minority status, and relationship status (single or partnered). Being sexually touched without consent was the most frequently reported act (7.6%), followed by attempted sexual penetration without consent (3.6%), and sexual penetration without consent (2.2%). Women and lesbian/gay/bisexual students reported prevalence rates of each sexual violence behavior that were 2 to 3 times as high as men and heterosexual students, respectively. A structural equation model revealed that sexual violence victimization in the past year was consistently associated with greater alcohol misuse (β = .31, p < .001), negative affect (β = .25, p < .001), and self-harm behaviors (β = .34, p < .001), in the past 30 days, controlling for demographic variables.

Conclusions:

The findings highlight the high prevalence and negative correlates of sexual violence victimization among college students and show the subgroups of college students most at risk for these negative outcomes. The findings of this study suggest that there is a critical need for effective prevention programs for college sexual violence and that such efforts may reduce rates of sexual assault as well as a host of negative behavioral health consequences of victimization.