Women's *Labeling of Unwanted Sexual Experiences With Dating Partners: Measurement and Conceptual Issues

Abstract

Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the present study examines women's labeling of unwanted sexual experiences with dating partners among two samples of university women (total n = 1,395). The first goal of the present research was to examine the validity of the behavioral approach to measuring sexual abuse and assault by considering whether labeling is necessary for such experiences to be psychologically victimizing. As hypothesized, the results of a variety of multivariate statistical analyses indicated that it is the severity of unwanted sexual experiences, and not labeling, that predicts distress. These results suggest that labeling cannot be considered a valid criterion for determining who has experienced sexual abuse or assault. The second goal of the present research was to address several conceptual issues related to the labeling process. In particular, qualitative data analyses were conducted to examine why women do or do not label their unwanted sexual experiences, what events trigger labeling, and how women who do not label define their experiences. The research, clinical, and policy implications of these results are discussed.