Prevalence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Sexual Aggression among Adolescents: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

• Applicant: Dr. Isabell Schuster
• Subject Area: Social Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 506410023

Sexual aggression, defined as any sexual contact against a person’s will, is a widespread problem among adolescents internationally as well as in Germany, associated with numerous adverse effects on adolescents’ health and well-being. To effectively target this problem, having a broad knowledge base on its scope and predictors is of utmost importance. Given that there is only limited evidence on sexual aggression in adolescents in Germany, in particular on the underlying processes that contribute to experiencing and perpetrating sexual aggression, the present research project aims at examining the prevalence as well as predictors of sexual aggression in female and male adolescents. Building on social psychological theories and our broad preliminary work, this three-wave longitudinal study will include a large sample of 15- to 18-years-olds and follow them over two years. First, the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of sexual aggression victimization and perpetration will be assessed and examined in relation to gender and sexual experience background. Second, as our main aim, we will test a theoretical model, expecting that sexuality-related cognitions guide sexuality-related behavior which in turn is linked to sexual aggression victimization and perpetration. At all three data waves, sexuality-related cognitions and behaviors, sexual aggression victimization and perpetration, and mental health will be measured, enabling an empirical inspection of the expected, theory-driven associations. Also, the proposed project adopts a gender-inclusive approach by considering female and male adolescents in both victim and perpetrator roles.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Sascha Hein; Professorin Dr. Barbara Krahé