RISK AND PROTECTIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN RAPE SUPPORTIVE ATTITUDE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

This systematics review examined the risk and protective factors that are associated with rape supportive attitude and other related concept such as Rape Myth Acceptance (RMA). Five published literature databases were searched using the relevant terms related to rape supportive attitudes. Articles that met the inclusion criteria were abstracted. The inclusion criteria included articles published in English language, with at least one measure of Rape Supportive Attitude, and associations of this measure with demographic and/or psychological variables, and published between 1985 and 2016. Out of 43 relevant articles, only 22 articles met the inclusion criteria. The studies predominantly demonstrated that the following risk factors were significantly associated with rape supportive attitude: male gender, gender role socialization, exposure to pornography, fraternity membership, ambivalent sexism, narcissistic personality. On the other hand, prior victimization was found to be both a risk and a protective factor as different studies had conflicting findings. Victim empathy, on the other hand was consistently found to be a protective factor against rape supportive attitude. The discussion, implications for research, policy and practice were also provided.