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Gender-specific Normative Misperceptions of Risky Sexual Behavior and Alcohol-related Risky Sexual Behavior

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Abstract

This research examined gender-specific perceptions of risky sexual behavior norms among college students and their relationship with one’s own sexual behavior. We expected that students would misperceive the risky sexual behavior of their peers and that these perceptions would positively relate to their sexual behavior. Undergraduate students from the United States (N = 687; 57.6% female) completed measures assessing perceived sexual behavior, sexual behavior, and other behaviors (e.g., marijuana use, alcohol consumption). Findings demonstrated that students perceived that others engaged in more risky sexual behavior than they do and that perceived norms were positively associated with one’s own behavior. The incorporation of personalized normative feedback regarding risky sexual behavior into brief interventions aimed at reducing risky sexual behavior is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Box 354694, Seattle, WA, 98105-6099, USA

    Melissa A. Lewis, Christine M. Lee & Nicole Fossos

  2. Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, S110 Henderson Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Megan E. Patrick

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  1. Melissa A. Lewis
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  2. Christine M. Lee
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  3. Megan E. Patrick
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  4. Nicole Fossos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Melissa A. Lewis.

Additional information

Data collection and manuscript preparation was funded by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA019257: C. Lee, PI). Manuscript preparation was also funded by training grants from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA007455: M. Larimer, PI) awarded to M. Lewis and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA017629: M. Greenberg, PI) awarded to M. Patrick.

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Lewis, M.A., Lee, C.M., Patrick, M.E. et al. Gender-specific Normative Misperceptions of Risky Sexual Behavior and Alcohol-related Risky Sexual Behavior. Sex Roles 57, 81–90 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9218-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9218-0

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