Unwanted Sexual Experiences Measure

Abstract

This research instrument is designed to measure sexual victimization among young adults, with a particular focus on intercourse (including vaginal, oral, or anal). It seeks to understand if young adults have experienced unwanted sex and, if so, what type of sexual coercion they experienced. Types of sexual coercion include: internal psychological pressure, substance-related coercion, external psychological manipulation, and threat or actual use of violence by the perpetrator.

It has been implemented through paper and electronic, self-administered surveys, as well as during phone-administered interviews. Given the sensitive nature and the intention for use with youth subjects, this instrument likely requires the consultation and oversight of a human subjects research ethics board. It is also recommended that this instrument be administered with mental health professionals/counselors available in case a respondent is triggered or upset by the content.

The unwanted sexual experiences question of the measure was created for the above study. It drew on research (Koss 1993) that encourages the use of behaviorally focused questions in framing questions around actions rather than labels. For that reason, respondents are asked about "unwanted sex," rather than about "rape" or "sexual assault." The questions related to the types of sexual coercion were adapted from measures created by Muehlenhard and Cook (1988) and Koss and Oros (1982). (Author Abstract).