The company they keep: How peer networks influence male sexual aggression.

The goal of the present study was to add to the existing knowledge concerning predictors of sexually coercive behaviors. After replicating an existing model that details individual-level factors predicting sexual coercion, an alternative model incorporating peer-level factors was built and tested against the existing model. Findings suggest that perceived peer attitudes concerning violence against women significantly influence corresponding individual attitudes. Furthermore, peer group density was found to significantly moderate the relationship between perceived peer attitudes toward violence against women and hostile individual attitudes toward women, in that highly dense peer groups had the strongest positive influence on individual members. The main effect of peer network density on hostile individual attitudes, however, was significantly negative-suggesting that individuals with highly dense peer groups tend to have less hostile attitudes toward women. Taken together, the present findings suggest that perceived peer attitudes and the structure of peer networks have a notable bearing on individual attitudes of violence and hostility toward women, factors long known to predict violent physical and sexual behaviors targeted at women. Implications are discussed in terms of future avenues for research and application to peer-based intervention strategies.