ABSTRACT The following study examines the impacts of internalized modesty messaging (IMM) on female adolescents raised within white evangelical churches. On the basis of a large‐scale dataset ( n = 5525), the article investigates associations between IMM, self‐esteem, and experiences of sexual harassment as a minor in religious institutions using a case‐control study. Analyses included nonparametric group comparisons and multiple linear regression models. Findings indicate that higher levels of IMM are associated with significantly lower self‐esteem and nearly double the reported incidences of sexual harassment during adolescence. Sexual harassment was most frequently perpetrated by other minors, revealing a prevalence of peer‐to‐peer abuse within these environments. The findings suggest that such messaging not only harms young girls’ emotional well‐being but also contributes to environments conducive to sexual abuse. The study concludes that modesty teachings may increase girls’ vulnerability to harm and calls for critical reflection of theological interpretations that link female worth to sexual modesty.
Gallego et al. (Thu,) studied this question.