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Sexual Abuse in Canadian University and College Dating Relationships: The Contribution of Male Peer Support

NCJ Number
154215
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1995) Pages: 41-53
Author(s)
W S DeKeseredy; K Kelly
Date Published
1995
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Using data from a national representative sample survey of male university and college students in Canada, this study tested three hypotheses from a theoretical model which attempts to explain the relationship between male peer group dynamics and sexual assault in dating relationships.
Abstract
The following three hypotheses were tested: (1) the more serious the dating relationship, the more likely men are to sexually abuse their dating partners; (2) the more serious the dating relationship, the more male peer support men will receive; and (3) the more male peer support men receive, the more likely they are to sexually abuse their dating partners. Data used to test the model were obtained from a national probability survey of Canadian male university and college students that was conducted in 1992. Researchers administered self-report questionnaires in 95 undergraduate classes across the country, and less than 1 percent of respondents refused to participate. The median age of 1,307 men who participated in the study was 21 years. Consistent with previous research conducted in the United States, findings showed that male peer support was a significant predictor of sexual abuse in postsecondary school courtship, thus supporting only the third hypothesis. Dating status was not associated with the incidence of sexual abuse and each variant of male peer support. However, two male peer support variables, informational support and attachment to abusive peers, were somewhat associated with sexual abuse. Associations between male peer support variables were statistically significant but varied in strength. Informational support and attachment to abusive peers explained about 80 percent of variance in sexual abuse. Suggestions for further research on sexual abuse in dating relationships are offered. 53 references, 3 tables, and 1 figure

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