Typologies of Rape Victimization Experiences Among Women Attending College: A Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

Past research has categorized the rape experiences of women attending college into types primarily based on perpetration tactics and/or survivor substance use. However, this practice may overlook key differences. Therefore, in the current study, we sought via latent class analysis (LCA) to identify types of rape using multiple assault characteristics, including survivor resistance and substance use by the survivor and perpetrator. Participants were 344 college women who experienced rape since age 14 who completed an online survey. A five-class rape typology model was the best-fit: (a) Combined force/substance-facilitated rape (16.0%), (b) Substance-facilitated rape, congruent drinking (18.0%), (c) Substance-facilitated rape, non-congruent drinking (14.0%), (d) Low force/resistance rape (25.0%), and (e) Forcible rape (27.0%). Classes differed in acknowledgment, perpetrator relationship, current psychological distress, and recent hazardous drinking. Findings showed that college women’s rape experiences fell into several distinct typologies on the basis of the presence of force/resistance as well as survivor and perpetrator substance use/substance-related impairment. Practitioners working with college rape survivors should be mindful of how multiple assault characteristics may affect survivors’ recovery trajectory. Future research should further investigate the implications of these rape typologies on adjustment, recovery, and re-victimization risk among survivors.

Keywords

rape sexual assault college women alcohol use latent class analysis

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