Examining the Predictive Role of Rape Myth Acceptance and Attitude towards Women in Rape Supportive Attitude among University Students

Abstract

Rape is a social issue that impacts people and communities around the world. It’s imperative to understand the factors contributing to rape supportive attitudes, which perpetuate and justify rape, in order to effectively prevent it. The present study investigated the predictive role of socio-cognitive factors, specifically rape myth acceptance and attitudes toward women, in rape supportive attitudes among university students in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The study involved 60 students from three universities in Jaipur, Rajasthan, with an equal number of male and female participants aged between 18 and 29. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants, and individual administration was employed to collect data. The researchers utilized the Updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale by McMahon and Farmer (2011), the Attitudes Towards Women Scale by Spence, Helmreich, and Stapp (1973), and the Rape Supportive Attitude Scale by Lottes (1991) to assess participant’s rape myth acceptance, attitudes towards women, and rape supportive attitudes. Multiple regression analyses showed that both rape myth acceptance (Beta = 0.62, p < 0.001) and attitudes toward women (Beta = -0.28, p = 0.034) significantly predicted rape supportive attitudes among university students. Higher levels of rape myth acceptance and more negative attitudes toward women were associated with more positive attitudes toward rape. The implications of these findings for prevention and intervention efforts are discussed.