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Current Challenges in the Study and Prevention of Sexual Aggression in Youth

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Adolescents".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 18154

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37005, Spain
Interests: sexual development; sexual aggression; sexual coercion; attachment and sexuality; romantic relationships; adolescence and emerging adulthood

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Assistant Guest Editor
Department of Education, University of Cantabria, Santander 39005, Spain
Interests: sexual aggression; sexual education; dating violence; adolescence and youth; bullying

E-Mail Website
Assistant Guest Editor
Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37005, Spain
Interests: sexual aggression; sexual victimization; prevention; adolescence; emerging adulthood; protective and/or risk factors; sexual education; couple relationships; interpersonal relationships

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Youth Sexual Aggression and Victimization (YSAV) is an international public health problem that can cause significantly negative effects on the well-being of victims and perpetrators. Prevalence data, although they do not coincide according to different studies, are alarming: the lack of consensus may be due to both how this topic is defined and how it is evaluated; therefore, it would be desirable to move towards a greater agreement on the definition of YSAV and its evaluation.

Another important challenge lies in developing broad and holistic explanatory models that, from an ecological perspective, take into account different key protective and risk factors for YSAV. These models, which must incorporate different levels of influence (from individual to social ones), seem to be essential for the design of effective preventive programs. In recent years, the implementation of such programs have increased, also showing promising results, some of them even incorporating the bystander intervention perspective. In addition, the strategies of protection and intervention with survivors become especially relevant to alleviate negative outcomes of sexual assault, reduce the risk of victimization and promote their well-being. Moreover, prevention must also consider the needs of those who are potentially, or who already have been, aggressors.

With this background, this Special Issue of IJERPH focuses on the current state of YSAV. Submitted manuscripts can be both original research and theoretical reviews, in both cases focusing on practical implications. However, papers about the evaluation of interventions aimed at preventing YSAV and/or promoting the well-being of survivors will be especially valued.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Fuertes Martin
Dr. Andrés A. Fernández-Fuertes
Dr. Isabel Vicario Molina
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sexual aggression
  • sexual victimization
  • prevention
  • assessment
  • survivors
  • perpetrators
  • adolescents and youths
  • protective and/or risk factors
  • sexual education

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 748 KiB  
Article
Sexist Attitudes in Adolescents: Prevalence and Associated Factors
by Elena Vila-Cortavitarte, N. Marta Díaz-Gómez and José Miguel Díaz-Gómez
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12329; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912329 - 28 Sep 2022
Viewed by 2125
Abstract
Gender violence is a major public health issue. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sexist attitudes that could be associated with said violence, and to identify some sociodemographic variables that predict sexism. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted [...] Read more.
Gender violence is a major public health issue. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sexist attitudes that could be associated with said violence, and to identify some sociodemographic variables that predict sexism. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 723 adolescents between the ages of 14 to 19. Their explicit sexist attitudes were measured with the EVAMVE and EARG scales, and their implicit attitudes were measured with a series of assessment items regarding the behavior of the protagonists of a video and a story in which a young couple interacts. Explicit and implicit sexist attitudes were detected in adolescents of both sexes. Qualitatively, the assessment of the behavior of the female protagonist is striking. Regarding the sexism predictors, it was found that male adolescents, those born outside of Spain, those who were studying in a public school, those whose parents did not have university studies, and those who consumed the most pornography presented attitudes that were significantly more sexist. These results suggest that it is necessary to strengthen education in equality and prevention of gender violence in adolescents, and to develop affective-sexual education programs. Full article
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21 pages, 2021 KiB  
Article
Social, Economic and Human Capital: Risk or Protective Factors in Sexual Violence?
by Paola Ilabaca Baeza, José Manuel Gaete Fiscella, Fuad Hatibovic Díaz and Helena Roman Alonso
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020777 - 11 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2315
Abstract
In Chile, studies on protective factors and risk factors for sexual violence are limited and very few have incorporated analysis of different types of capital (social, economic, human) as social resources in the protection against sexual violence. The objective of this research is [...] Read more.
In Chile, studies on protective factors and risk factors for sexual violence are limited and very few have incorporated analysis of different types of capital (social, economic, human) as social resources in the protection against sexual violence. The objective of this research is to evaluate to what extent the stock of different capitals act together, as either protective or risk factors in sexual violence in different interpersonal environments. The sample consisted of 1665 women between 15 and 30 years of age (M = 23.47, SD = 4.41). Artificial neural network analysis and social network analysis were used. The nodes representative of human and economic capital have a protective role of low relevance due to their position in the network, while the nodes of social capital acquire a structural relevance due to the central positions of the network. It is concluded that the structural social capital of neighborhood networks constitutes the main protective factor for sexual violence in all areas, and in turn, the structural social capital of networks with non-significant others was the main risk factor in sexual victimization. Full article
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14 pages, 379 KiB  
Article
Sexual Victimization Disclosure: A Cluster Analysis Approach to Understanding Victimization Experiences in Disclosers and Non-Disclosers
by Kaitlin Walsh Carson, Sara Babad, Mahathi Kosuri, Mikell Bursky, Victoria Fairchild, Usha Barahmand, Elissa J. Brown and Valentina Nikulina
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11919; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211919 - 13 Nov 2021
Viewed by 1696
Abstract
Research has used cluster analysis to identify clusters, or groups, of sexual victimization survivors who share similar assault experiences. However, researchers have not investigated whether disclosure status is a key component of the survivors’ experience. The current study identified two clusters among 174 [...] Read more.
Research has used cluster analysis to identify clusters, or groups, of sexual victimization survivors who share similar assault experiences. However, researchers have not investigated whether disclosure status is a key component of the survivors’ experience. The current study identified two clusters among 174 disclosing and non-disclosing sexual victimization survivors. Cluster One (n = 74) included an incapacitated assault by a lesser-known perpetrator and disclosure of the event. Cluster Two (n = 100) included a verbally instigated assault by a well-known perpetrator and nondisclosure of the event. Follow up independent t-tests revealed that women in Cluster One had significantly higher depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms than women in Cluster Two. Results support prior research identifying clusters of victimization based on assault characteristics and suggest that disclosure status is a key variable in the recovery process. Specific implications for clinicians, policy makers, and the community are discussed. Full article
15 pages, 384 KiB  
Article
Slut Shaming in Adolescence: A Violence against Girls and Its Impact on Their Health
by Margot Goblet and Fabienne Glowacz
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(12), 6657; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126657 - 21 Jun 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 11107
Abstract
Slut shaming is defined as the stigmatization of an individual based on his or her appearance, sexual availability, and actual or perceived sexual behavior. It can take place in physical or virtual spaces. The present study questions the impact of this form of [...] Read more.
Slut shaming is defined as the stigmatization of an individual based on his or her appearance, sexual availability, and actual or perceived sexual behavior. It can take place in physical or virtual spaces. The present study questions the impact of this form of sexism in virtual spaces on girls and interrogates the interaction between the values that girls integrate through their life experiences, especially in the family sphere, and slut shaming victimization. We conducted a paper-pencil questionnaire with 605 girls between the ages of 10 and 18 (average age: 15.18 years). Our data confirm the impact of slut shaming on the physical and psychological well-being of young girls as early as adolescence. Second, mediation analyses provide insights into the revictimization and Poly-victimization processes, from childhood adverse experiences to sexist victimization in virtual spaces and their combined impact on the physical and psychic health of girls. Finally, we address prevention strategies and the involvement of socializing institutions in the deconstruction of gender stereotypes. Full article
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