Negative Affectivity in Females' Identification of Their Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences and Sexual Dissatisfaction

Very little research has examined the adjustment differences between those who identify their nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs) as sexual assault and those who do not, despite both groups meeting the legal criteria for having experienced sexual assault. Identifying differences between NSE identifiers and non-identifiers may help to illuminate psychosexual factors in NSE construal, emotional reactivity, and resilience in sexual outcomes. This study examines the association of individuals' NSE self-identification and negative affectivity with women's sexual dissatisfaction in an undergraduate sample. Participants (N=126) completed measures of negative affectivity five months before completing measures of sexual satisfaction and NSE history. Results indicated that negative affectivity has a robust independent association with NSE identification and sexual concerns for women who report NSEs, corresponding to legal definitions of sexual assault. In addition, no differences were found between identifiers and non-identifiers on sexual dissatisfaction, suggesting NSE history may have more to do with sexual satisfaction in these women than the construal of the event.