29th Annual Student Research Conference
Perceptions of Sexual Consent and Alcohol Consumption among College Students
Meghan E. Jones
Dr. Alicia Wodika and Dr. Nancy Daley-Moore, Faculty Mentors
Sexual assault cases on college campuses continue to be a pervasive issue. Understanding sexual consent among college students is important, as there remains a link between direct and indirect verbal and non-verbal communication and sexual assault. The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions of sexual consent among college students when alcohol is involved and to determine whether consent varies depending on the type of sexual behavior. From December 2015-February 2016, participants were assigned to read one of two vignettes about a heterosexual couple and a scenario that unfolds whereas alcohol consumption was a manipulated variable. Participants answered questions addressing their perceptions about whether sexual consent could be obtained. Preliminary demographics demonstrate a majority of female (83.6%), freshmen (45.5%) participants. Results were analyzed using Chi-square and descriptive statistics to discern any gender differences regarding sexual consent, as well as a comparison of sexual consent perceptions when alcohol is involved.
Keywords: sexual assault, sexual consent, vignette, alcohol, college students, consent, short story, alcohol consumption
Topic(s):Health Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 8-2
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30