Vulnerability and variability: Associations between various early forms of nonconsensual sexual experiences and later sexual experiences of young adults

Abstract

Early nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs) in childhood or adolescence have been linked to elevated risk for adjustment problems and later victimization in some research, whereas others find little or no associations between NSEs and later sexual experiences. The current study examined how a range of early NSEs are linked to both consensual and nonconsensual sexual experiences among young adults, as well as consideration of the familial versus non-familial nature of the perpetrator—victim relationship, an often-overlooked factor. A sample of 520 young adults (68% female; 18–25 years) completed anonymous surveys that assessed sexual experiences before and after age 16. Our results demonstrated that 6.9% of participants reported at least one episode of NSEs under the age of 16 with family members, 3.5% with non-familial adults, but far more (39.2%) with same-age peers. Early NSEs with family members and non-family adults were linked to experiences of sexual assaults after age 16 for both male and female participants. Early NSEs with peers were linked to later sexual assaults for female participants only. Careful consideration must be given to identifying types of early sexual experiences in efforts to understand their differential links to young adults’ experiences. Implications for improving scientific communication and operationalizing NSEs more precisely to advance research in this area are discussed.