A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 1ST SEXUAL INTERCOURSE EXPERIENCES AMONG UNDERGRADUATES

Survey data concerning the first sexual intercourse (FSI) experiences of 272 undergraduate students revealed that 6% had experienced FSI aga inst their personal wills (victims); 1% had experienced FSI against th e will of the other person (offenders); 81% had experienced FSI at the will of both participants (consenting); and 11% were virgins (does no t add up to 100% because of rounding). Examination of the students' pe rceptions of the various factors contributing to nonconsensual sexual intercourse (NSI) showed that fewer than 50% of the students agreed th at situational and psychological factors contribute to NSI. Results al so indicated that being a woman and perceptions about the factors that reduce victims' resistance were significant predictors of who would b e the victim of FSI. Religious background, the reasons for having a da te, and perceptions regarding the factors that enhance motivation to h ave NSI were significant predictors of FSI offenders. Personal risk be haviors were the strongest predictors of students who experienced FSI at the will of both participants, and risk factors were inversely rela ted to being a virgin.