A prospective study of sexual assault and alcohol use among first-year college women

Violence Vict. 2012;27(1):78-94. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.27.1.78.

Abstract

This study prospectively examined the relation between alcohol use and sexual assault in a sample (N = 319) of first-year college women. Both frequency of drinking and frequency of binge drinking were measured. Over the course of their freshman year, 19.3% reported experiencing at least one sexual assault. Frequent binge drinking and frequent drinking predicted a subsequent sexual assault; however, experiencing a sexual assault did not predict changes in alcohol use. Frequent binge drinking demonstrated a stronger association with sexual assault than did frequent drinking. Findings help clarify the relation between alcohol use and sexual assault in college women and call for continued differentiation in assessment of alcohol use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Attitude to Health
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Students / psychology
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Universities
  • Women's Health*
  • Young Adult