Understanding Adolescent Peer Sexual Harassment and Abuse: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior

This study examines intentions to take protective action against peer sexual harassment and abuse (PSHA). The theory of planned behavior (TPB) proposes that attitudes about protective action, perceptions of what others would think about doing this (subjective norms), and behavioral control would be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sexual abuse 2010-06, Vol.22 (2), p.157-171
Main Authors: Man Yu Li, Frieze, Irene, Tang, Catherine So-kum
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior - ethnology
Attitude to Health
Attitudes
Behavior modification
Female
Hong Kong
Humans
Intention
Internal-External Control
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Peer Group
Peers
Prediction
Predictive Value of Tests
Prevalence
Prevention programs
Psychological Theory
Psychology, Adolescent
Secondary school students
Self Care - methods
Self Care - psychology
Sex crimes
Sex Factors
Sexual Abuse
Sexual behavior
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment - ethnology
Sexual Harassment - prevention & control
Sexual Harassment - statistics & numerical data
Social Values - ethnology
Students - psychology
Teenagers
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Summary:This study examines intentions to take protective action against peer sexual harassment and abuse (PSHA). The theory of planned behavior (TPB) proposes that attitudes about protective action, perceptions of what others would think about doing this (subjective norms), and behavioral control would be important predictors. A total of 1,531 Chinese secondary school students (769 boys and 762 girls) from Hong Kong were surveyed to test this model. Results showed that the TPB model was predictive for girls, but only subjective norms and behavioral control significantly predicted boys’ intentions to protect themselves. Results supported the influence of subjective norms and perceived behavioral control on youths’ intentions to reject PSHA. These factors may be useful in guiding the development of an educational program for prevention of PSHA.
ISSN:1079-0632
1573-286X
DOI:10.1177/1079063210363827