The differential correlates of sexual coercion and rape

Typically, sexual coercion has been viewed as a less serious form of sexual aggression than attempted rape or rape. However, sexual coercion may be be tter understood as a qualitatively different type of sexual aggression expe rience. We examined the correlates of sexual coercion and rape/attempted ra pe experiences separately among a sample of young women who were at increas ed risk of sexual victimization as a result of their high levels of sexual activity and alcohol consumption. We hypothesized that personality variable s would be associated with sexual coercion but not rape experiences. We fou nd that low self-esteem, low assertiveness, and high sex-related alcohol ex pectancies were associated with sexual coercion experiences but not with ra pe or attempted rape. Higher levels of casual sexual activity and alcohol c onsumption were associated with both types of experiences. Findings suggest that sexual coercion may be prevented by improving sexual assertiveness an d weakening alcohol expectancies to emphasize personal control.