Associations Between Proactive and Reactive Aggression and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Emerging Adults

ABSTRACT

This study examined associations between proactive and reactive aggression and types of risky sexual behavior. Additionally, gender was examined as a moderator of these associations. The sample included emerging adults (N = 232; male = 132) ranging from 18 to 25 years of age. Of the overall sample, 155 individuals (53.5% male) reported engaging in sexual intercourse. Proactive, but not reactive, aggression was uniquely associated with 4 types of risky sexual behavior (i.e., ever engaging in sexual intercourse, number of lifetime sexual partners, number of partners within past 3 months, and frequency of contraception use). Further, associations with number of sexual partners were strongest when levels of reactive aggression were low. With regard to gender differences, proactive aggression was associated with lower likelihood of contraception use in males. Gender also moderated the association between reactive aggression and number of lifetime sexual partners. Implications and future directions are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• gender differences
• proactive/reactive aggression
• risky sexual behavior

Acknowledgments

Marco Bortolato is now in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Utah.

Funding

This research was funded by a research grant awarded to Paula J. Fite and Marco Bortolato from the Research Investment Council at the University of Kansas.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by a research grant awarded to Paula J. Fite and Marco Bortolato from the Research Investment Council at the University of Kansas.