The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64118

Diane Depken, EdD, Divison of Health Promotion and Education, University of Northern Iowa, HPELS -0241, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0241, 319-273-7287, dianed@cfu.net and Wm Michael Fleming, PhD, CFLE, Family Services, University of Northern Iowa, 1227 West 27th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0332.

This paper will report on attitudinal and behavioral correlates of those who have reported experiencing and perpetrating interpersonal violence and coercive sexual experiences. A brief overview of existing psychometric scales typically used in violence prevention efforts will be followed by reporting of results from a baseline survey was administered to a cross-section of College students in the Fall of 2001 (n=880). In addition to demographic questions, this questionnaire was designed to assess a variety of attitudes and behaviors related to interpersonal violence (see list below). Multivariate analyses of scaled items supplemented with current prevention and evaluation research will focus on examining differences in attitudes and beliefs of those at high risk and low risk for experiencing interpersonal violence and coercive sexual experiences. Particular attention will be given to new measures of social norms and beliefs in bystander intervention as promising intervention strategies for prevention.

Attitudes & Beliefs – Rape supportive attitudes and beliefs – Rape Myth Scale (Lonsway, & Fitzgerald, 1995) – Hostility toward women/men (Check, Malamuth, Elias, & Barton, 1985) – Date and Acquaintance Rape efficacy (Walsh, DeVellis, DeVellis, 1997) – Social norms related to violence

Behaviors – Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus, M. , 1979) – College Date Rape Behaviors (Lanier & Elliot, 1997) – Sexual Experiences Survey (Koss, M.P., & Gidycz, C.A.,1985) – Additional interpersonal experiences and behaviors: teasing, stalking etc. – Drinking patterns

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will develop a greater understanding of current psychometric measures used in many violence prevention efforts
• Participants will develop a greater understanding of attitudinal and behavior differences of those at higher risk for experiencing interpersonal violence
• Participants will be exposed to new and promising measures of normative beliefs and bystander beliefs related to violence prevention

Keywords: Violence, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Northern Iowa
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment