Modifiable Risk and Protective Factors of Sexual Aggression among U.S. Navy Service Members

Abstract

Empirical investigation of sexual aggression among military service members is needed to inform prevention strategies. Accordingly, the current study examined modifiable risk and protective factors of sexual aggression, including moderated associations by sex, in a sample of enlisted, active duty Navy service members (N = 478). Participants completed an online survey containing measures of demographics, risk factors (i.e., rape myth acceptance, heavy episodic drinking, exposure to workplace sexual harassment), protective factors (i.e., likelihood of consent-supportive behaviors, bystander efficacy, personal sexual beliefs, perceived sexual norms), and sexual aggression. Unadjusted logistic regressions were used to examine bivariate associations between risk and protective factors with sexual aggression, whereas hierarchical modeling was used to examine adjusted and sex-moderated associations. Results indicated that—other than heavy episodic drinking and perceived sexual norms—risk and protective factors had significant bivariate associations with sexual aggression. In hierarchical modeling, rape myth acceptance and exposure to workplace sexual harassment were associated with increased risk of sexual aggression, while the likelihood of consent-supportive behaviors was associated with decreased risk. However, interaction results indicated that rape myth acceptance was associated with increased aggression risk only among male sailors, and the likelihood of consent-supportive behaviors was associated with decreased aggression risk only among female sailors. Prevention initiatives working to reduce rape myth acceptance and improve the likelihood of consent-supportive behaviors may benefit from being tailored toward the sex of service members. Furthermore, diminishing workplace sexual harassment and fostering healthy work environments should be prioritized, as these efforts may reduce sexual aggression among sailors.