Cyber Sexual Aggression within Intimate Partner Aggression: Effects on Young Women
Cyber intimate partner aggression (IPA) is a growing problem among romantic couples, especially emerging adult women (i.e., ages 18-25). With the increasing advancements and accessibility of technology, cyberspace has become another means for perpetrators to engage in IPA. Although recent research has begun to examine cyber IPA, few studies have examined the impact of cyber sexual aggression among intimate partners. Given the negative impact in-person sexual IPA has on young women, it is vital research begin examining the impact of cyber sexual aggression within romantic relationships. The present study examined how cyber sexual IPA and cyber psychological IPA related to female emerging adults’ relationship satisfaction and commitment and mental health. The sample was comprised of 180 women (M age=20) who were in a heterosexual relationship. Participants completed measures of demographics, cyber sexual and psychological IPA, relationship quality, mental health, and social desirability. Results found that 13.9% of the women experienced at least one act of cyber sexual IPA and 43.9% experienced at least one act of cyber psychological IPA within the last year. Notably, of the women who experienced cyber IPA: 71% experienced only cyber psychological IPA, 7% experienced only cyber sexual IPA, and 22% experienced both cyber sexual and psychological IPA. Cyber sexual IPA was significantly (p>.05) associated with greater mental health issues and cyber psychological IPA was marginally (p>.10) associated with worse relationship satisfaction and commitment. The interaction between cyber sexual and psychological IPA did not predict any outcome variables. The impact of these results will be explored. Specifically, these findings have implications for the development of dating violence prevention, intervention, and education programs, and for a wide variety of professionals (e.g., shelter staff and policy makers).
