Analysis
The Reasons for Consenting to Unwanted Sex Scale (RFCTUSS) is a psychometric tool designed to evaluate the reasons and motivations that lead individuals to consent to sexual acts they do not desire. The scale examines various factors, such as social pressure, fear of negative consequences, the desire to maintain the relationship, and a sense of obligation or duty. Its use can provide valuable insights into the circumstances that lead to unwanted sexual experiences and support the development of interventions that promote sexual autonomy and genuine consent.
Purpose
The purpose of the scale is to:
Assess Consent Motivations: Measure the reasons and motivations behind consenting to unwanted sexual activities.
Understand Social and Psychological Influences: Investigate the social, cultural, and psychological factors that affect sexual consent.
Support Intervention Development: Contribute to the creation of educational programs and interventions that strengthen sexual autonomy and promote meaningful consent.
Promote Research on Sexual Consent: Enhance understanding of the factors that influence consent and support scientific research in the field of sexual health.
Scoring
The scale includes several statements that participants are asked to evaluate using a Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all likely) to 5 (very likely). The statements cover various causes and conditions under which a person may consent to unwanted sexual activity, and the total scores provide an estimate of the main reasons for consenting to unwanted sex.
References
Impett, E. A., & Peplau, L. A. (2003). Sexual Compliance: Gender, Motivational, and Relationship Perspectives. Journal of Sex Research, 40(1), 87–100.
Vannier, S. A., & O’Sullivan, L. F. (2010). Sexual Compliance Within Romantic Relationships: Do Men and Women Differ? Journal of Sex Research, 47(5), 429–439.
Conroy, N. E., Krishnakumar, A., & Leone, J. M. (2015). Reexamining Issues of Conceptualization and Willing Consent: The Hidden Role of Coercion in Experiences of Sexual Acquiescence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 30(11), 1828–1846.
Muehlenhard, C. L., & Peterson, Z. D. (2005). Wanting and Not Wanting Sex: The Missing Discourse of Ambivalence. Feminism & Psychology, 15(1), 15–20.
Bay-Cheng, L. Y., & Eliseo-Arras, R. K. (2008). The Making of Unwanted Sex: Gendered and Neoliberal Norms in College Women’s Unwanted Sexual Experiences. Journal of Sex Research, 45(4), 386–397.