Predicting College Women's Body-Esteem and Self-Esteem Based on Rape Experience, Recency, and Labeling

Violence Against Women. 2020 Jun;26(8):838-850. doi: 10.1177/1077801219845522. Epub 2019 May 3.

Abstract

We examined body-esteem and self-esteem based on rape experience, rape labeling status (yes; no) and recency of rape (recently, within past year; earlier, between age 14 and the past year). Undergraduate women (n = 1,005) completed the Body-Esteem Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Sexual Experiences Survey. Women raped within the past year (recently) reported lower levels of both body-esteem and self-esteem than those raped over a year ago (earlier) and nonvictims, but women raped earlier did not differ from nonvictims. Rape labeling status was not significant. Findings identify lower body-esteem, in addition to lower self-esteem, as correlates of recent rape.

Keywords: esteem; labeling; rape.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Image
  • Comprehension
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Rape / psychology*
  • Self Concept*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Students
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Universities*
  • Young Adult