Objective: Examine associations between care seeking reasons in college health and counseling centers and sexual violence (SV). Participants: College students (n = 2,084 baseline, n = 1,170 one-year follow up) participating in a cluster randomized controlled trial of an SV reduction intervention on 28 campuses. Methods: Computer-based survey data…

The purpose of this study was to describe the post assault support needs of college students who identify as sexual and gender minority after a sexual assault. The study employed participatory action research in the form of a photovoice study wherein participants took photographs to describe their support needs after sexual assault. The study…

Objective: Although there has been increased attention to campus interpersonal violence, there is limited information on survivor advocacy services. Participants: We recruited participants from 155 U.S. institutions of higher education responsible for advocacy services on their campus. Methods: We used a community participatory action approach in…

This study validated a scale to explore family dynamics on a continuum of problematic to positive parenting practices that are believed to relate to college student distress and well-being. A two-factor scale was revealed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis with each factor demonstrating good internal reliability and convergent validity with…

This study was to understand employee experiences receiving sexual assault disclosures from college students. Eight employees, each from different functional departments, at one higher education institution in the northeast participated in the study. Using Bronfenbrenner's (1977) ecological systems theory as a framework for the study, employees…

Objective: The current study examined the influence of rape myth acceptance on self-blame and psychological symptoms following a sexual assault. Participants: The sample included 280 female sexual assault survivors in college. Methods: In an online survey, participants completed the Sexual Experiences Survey -- Short Form Victimization, Updated…

Despite prevention efforts, young women, particularly college students, experience sexual victimization at alarming rates, and do not always receive trauma-responsive treatment to address the devastating acute and long-lasting post-assault symptoms. Grounded in theory and research on trauma and sexual violence, the authors introduce a new…

Objective: To compare the effect of sexual orientation, history of sexual assault and sense of belonging on depression and suicidality among lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and questioning (LGBQ) and heterosexual students. Participants: A total of 60,194 students from 60 US campuses who participated in the 2017-2018 Healthy Minds Study. Methods:…

Sexual assault among college students is a prevalent occurrence. Researchers found sexual assault on college campuses have been present for decades. Six percent of males have been found to experience a sexual assault during college enrollment while the incidence increases to 19%-26% for females. Studies continue to report sexual assault is a…

Objective: Understand the relationship between risk factors (eg, different sexual assault types -- coercive, physical, incapacitation by alcohol/drugs) and protective factors (eg, strong maternal ties) with depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among college students. Participants: Six hundred twenty-five…

The problem this study addressed involves how college students since the year 2020 in the U.S. have been negotiating romance, dating, and sexual relationships in the unique historical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, this study addressed the problem of needing to determine how the pandemic may have disrupted college students' intimate…

Objective: Due to high prevalence rates of sexual assault among college-aged women and the benefits of disclosure (e.g., emotional well-being), it remains important to consider barriers to disclosure. The current paper aimed to examine if barriers to disclosure may be more salient to sorority women. Participants: We examined differences in rates…

Objective: The study assesses the prevalence of physical, psychological, sexual, and cyber forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) among female college students, and associated mental health and academic outcomes.Participants: Participants (n = 6,818) were randomly selected female students attending one of eight campuses of a University System in…

Forced sex is a major issue experienced by individuals of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations. Little is known about how LGBQ, transgender, and non-binary young people experience sexual violence. This study examines experiences of forced sex, exploring the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as how other…

Objective: The impact of interpersonal violence on college students has received considerable attention, yet no studies have been conducted among community college students, who comprise 40% of all American college students, and have unique risk factors and needs. Community College students are more likely to be women, people of color, working,…