Child and Youth Development
Associations Between Sexualized Media Consumption, Sexual Double Standards, and Sexual Coercion Perpetration and Victimization in Late Adolescent Sexually Active Boys and Girls from The Netherlands
Open Access: Yes
Abstract
This study examined associations between sexualized media consumption, sexual double standard (SDS) norms, and sexual coercion perpetration and victimization in late adolescence and whether these associations were moderated by gender. Participants were sexually active Dutch secondary school students aged 16–20 years (N=255, 58.4% girls). Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire at a single time-point. Overall, more sexualized media consumption was associated with higher odds of both sexual coercion perpetration and victimization. These associations did not differ by gender. Specifically, viewing online pornography and sexually oriented reality television more frequently were associated with higher odds of sexual coercion perpetration, whereas viewing others’ sexy social media posts more frequently was associated with higher odds of sexual coercion victimization. Finally, stronger endorsement of SDS norms was associated with lower odds of sexual coercion perpetration in girls, but with comparatively higher odds of sexual coercion perpetration in boys. Results indicate that consuming sexualized media and societal sexual double standards is associated with an increased risk of sexual coercion experiences in adolescence.
Relevance
The paper concludes that “viewing sexualized media and internalization of societal SDS norms may put sexual active adolescents at risk for sexual coercion experiences. … It would be unrealistic to suggest that parents can prevent late adolescents from accessing several types of sexualized media. However, there may be value in discussing the consequences of exposure to sexualized media with adolescents, both at home and at school, as well as addressing endorsements of SDS norms that may increase risk of sexual coercion experiences.”
Citation
Chadwick-Brown, F., & Endendijk, J.J. (2024). Associations Between Sexualized Media Consumption, Sexual Double Standards, and Sexual Coercion Perpetration and Victimization in Late Adolescent Sexually Active Boys and Girls from The Netherlands. Archives of Sexual Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02988-1
