Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of alcohol-related sexual assault among university students.

Abstract: 

This study examined the psychosocial correlates of alcohol-related sexual assault. Undergraduate students (N = 551) were recruited to complete a web-based survey. The outcome was a composite of 2 items: "experienced an unwanted sexual advance" or "was the victim of sexual assault or date rape" as a result of another's alcohol use. The predictors were substance use, other alcohol-related interpersonal violence victimization, and alcohol-related protective behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Females reported higher prevalence of alcohol-related sexual assault than did males (20.4% vs. 6.6%). Females who reported binge drinking (OR = 7.74) and other alcohol-related interpersonal violence (OR = 5.03) were more likely to report alcohol-related sexual assault whereas only other alcohol-related interpersonal violence was associated with alcohol-related sexual assault (OR = 43.75) among males. The findings suggest that alcohol-related sexual assault is associated with other risk factors that deserve further attention through longitudinal research and intervention efforts.