Graduation Year
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.P.H.
Degree Granting Department
Community and Family Health
Major Professor
Julie Baldwin, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Rasheeta Chandler, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Ellen Daley, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Sarah Desmarais, Ph.D.
Keywords
Rape Myth, Reactive Aggression, Sexual Coercion, Attitudes toward Women, Social Cognitive Theory, Theory of Planned Behavior, Theory of Gender and Power
Abstract
The objective of this research was to assess the beliefs of and attitudes towards sexual violence among self-identified male, undergraduate, athletes and non-athletes. Research has shown that there is an association between the subculture of athletics and the beliefs and attitudes towards sexual violence. Male, undergraduate, athletes have disproportionately been reported for sexual violence. This study examined common risk factors attributed to perpetration of sexual violence: rape myth acceptance, lower attitudes toward women, reactive aggression, and physical and verbal sexual coercion. Multiple-level risk factors were studied in order to acquire a comprehensive understanding of what possible associations between male collegiate athletes and sexual violence. Findings indicate that self-identified athletes have lower attitudes towards women, are more likely to accept rape myths, and have a higher prevalence of verbal and physical coercion. Recreational athletes were found to have higher levels of reactive aggression as compared to University Athletic Association athletes. Future studies should include self-identified athletes (e.g., recreational athletes) as they have been understudied.
Scholar Commons Citation
James, Belinda-Rose, "Beliefs of and Attitudes Toward Sexual Violence by a Diverse Group of Self-Identified Male Collegiate Athletes" (2012). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/4089
