Exploring the Association Between Traditional Sexual Roles and Intimate Partner Sexual Violence in the Context of China

Objective: The present study examines the relationship between traditional sexual roles and intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) among heterosexual individuals in China (N = 146), an underexplored area in the existing literature. Method: IPSV victimization was assessed using the Sexual Violence Subscale of World Health Organization's Violence Against Women (WHO VAW) and the Sexual Coercion subscale of Revised Conflict Tactics Scales Short Form (CTS2S). The Traditional Sexual Roles (TSR) scale and Satisfaction of Sexual Needs as Important (SSNI) scale measured traditional sexual role endorsement in sexual encounters, administered via anonymous surveys on the Qualtrics platform (Qualtrics, 2024). Results: Analysis revealed that 35.2% of women and 10.5% of men reported experiencing IPSV victimization in their lifetime. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between the endorsement of traditional sexual roles and IPSV victimization. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates a gendered pattern in IPSV victimization, with women disproportionately affected. Moreover, it highlights the significant association between adherence to traditional sexual roles and IPSV victimization. Further studies to explore the IPSV perpetration with a nationwide survey are encouraged.