Testing the reliability of sexual aggression self-reports

ABSTRACT

We examined reliability of self-reports of sexual aggression (SA) perpetration and victimisation in ongoing college relationships (n = 638), comparing confidential online self-reports at Time 1 with self-reports under a lab-based bogus pipeline condition at Time 2. High rates of SA victimisation were reported; 46% of women and 47% of men indicated their current partner had been sexually aggressive. However, SA victimisation was associated with fear of one’s partner among women only. These data suggest young men and women may tolerate some SA by their romantic partners. This may not be evident in research that fails to assess the relationship context, as individuals otherwise may not view SA enacted by a current partner as victimisation. The most consistent reporting was among women, in self-reporting their SA perpetration. The least consistent reporting was among men, in their self-reports of their SA victimisation. Both genders tended to underreport their SA victimisation. Men and women with lenient attitudes towards SA were the least reliable reporters of their SA perpetration, and men with antisocial traits responded in a way that suggests possible overreporting of SA victimisation in this group.

Practice impact statement

This study highlights the strikingly high rate of sexually aggressive experiences in young adult relationships. It also discusses gender differences in fear of a sexually aggressive partner and in the reliability of self-reports of sexual aggression and identifies traits associated with reliable versus unreliable reporting of sexual aggression.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual aggression
• self-reporting
• reliability of self-reports
• gender and aggression

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).