SEXUALITY ATTITUDES - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND REFINEMENT OF A NEW MEASURE

Much of the existing research on sexuality attitudes is dated and prov ides contradictory findings, chiefly because of varied measures and da ta gathered from different population cohorts. A scale with a particul ar emphasis on interpersonal coercion was developed and data gathered from 253 female and 92 male first and second year university students in three social science courses. Analyses provided data on psychometri c properties and gender differences. Three clear and reliable factors were found, Attitudes toward Sexual Coercion and Assault, Attitudes to ward Sexuality Issues, and Attitudes toward Gender Roles. Other less w ell defined factors, and the failure of some key sexuality issues to i nclude the existing factors, suggest the need for further refinement o f the scale to reflect tire multidimensionality of the construct. The identified relationship between attitudes and behavior emphasizes the need for a reliable, valid, up-to-date scale to provide data as a basi s for developing education programs. Suggestions for refinement of the instrument and gathering of data from a larger and more representativ e sample are offered.