Risk of sexual victimization in college women - The role of behavioral intentions and risk-taking behaviors

Recent investigations of risk factors for adult sexual assault have focused on a variety of behavioral and cognitive variables, including victim risk-taking behaviors. In this study, cognitive appraisals of risk activities, behavioral intentions to engage in risk-taking behaviors, and alcohol use were examined in relation to future involvement in risk-taking behaviors and the incidence of sexual assault in a sample of college women. At Time 1, 50(26%)participants reported a history of sexual victimization and at Time 2, 16(12.7%) reported new sexual victimizations. Discriminant function analysis indicated that alcohol use and expected involvement in risky activities at Time 1 were associated with new sexual victimizations at Time 2. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that alcohol use and expected involvement in risky activities at Time 1 were predictive of frequency of involvement in risky sexual activities at Time 2. The implication of these findings for future research is discussed.