Gender roles, social problem-solving and attitudes towards sexual aggression

Sexually aggressive acts, whether they are experienced or perpetrated, impact individuals functioning on both individual and societal levels. Sexual aggression is defined as the actions of a person engaging in sexual behavior with someone who does not or cannot consent to engage in that behavior. There are multiple pathways involved in the process of the expression of sexual aggression. Social problem-solving (SPS) as a cognitive and behavioral construct, as well as gender roles, constructs of pre-determined schemas, have both been independently shown to play a role in the expression of sexually aggressive behaviors (Nezu, Nezu, & D'Zurilla, 2013, Murnen, Wright, & Kaluzny, 2002). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the differences in gender roles and social problem-solving, as well as the interaction effect between SPS and gender roles will influence attitudes and opinions toward sexual aggression. As such it was hypothesized that gender roles are significantly associated with attitudes on sexual aggression, and social problem-solving is significantly associated with attitudes on sexual aggression and lastly, gender roles and social problem-solving have an interactive effect on attitudes on sexual aggression with social problem-solving influencing attitudes on sexual aggression over and beyond gender roles. In this study, 250 individuals of all sexes were recruited to complete measures to assess gender roles (BSRI & MRNI:SF), social problem-solving (SPSI:R-S), and attitudes on sexual aggression (IRMA). The investigation involved Pearson's product-moment correlations as well as a hierarchical multiple regression in order to assess the relationship between the variables of interest. Partially supporting the hypotheses, total MRNI:SF, representing gender role ideologies, and total SPSI:R-S, representing social problem-solving ability, were significantly associated with IRMA, representing attitudes toward sexual aggression. However, the relationship was not in the hypothesized direction. The last hypothesis was partially supported as the regression model was significant but total SPS did not have an over and above effect on attitudes towards aggression. The data demonstrated non-normal distribution and results were interpreted with caution. In the event that the results of this study are replicated, future research should focus on revealing other possible influencers. Finally, if it is demonstrated that the hypotheses are supported in future research, Emotion Center-Problem-Solving Therapy could be a beneficial treatment for individuals showing accepting attitudes towards sexual aggression.