Rape myth acceptance: Exploration of its structure and its measurement using the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale

A series of six studies were conducted to explore the structure underlying rape myths and to develop the 45-item Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale ( "IRMA"). In the first study, 604 participants (mean age 18.8 years, 53% wom en) rated their level of agreement with 95 pretested rape myth statements. Exploratory and confirmatory multivariate analyses revealed a structure con sisting of both a general myth component and seven subcomponents. This stru cture was replicated in a second study using a new sample and paired compar isons methodology. Study 3 details the development procedures for the IRMA and presents statistics demonstrating its good psychometric properties. Fin ally, Studies 4-6 support the construct validity of the IRMA. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for theory, measurement, future re search, and intervention. (C) 1999 Academic Press.