Young Adults’ Online and In-Person Sexual Harassment Experiences in Romantic Relationships: Exploring the Role of Relationship Type and Dark Triad Personality Traits

• Published date: 01 September 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/10575677231214181
• Author: Janneke M. Schokkenbroek,Koen Ponnet,Wim Hardyns
• Date: 01 September 2024
• Subject Matter: Original Articles

Young Adults’Online and

In-Person Sexual Harassment

Experiences in Romantic

Relationships: Exploring the

Role of Relationship Type and

Dark Triad Personality Traits

Janneke M. Schokkenbroek

1,2

, Koen Ponnet

1

,

and Wim Hardyns

2,3

Abstract

As romantic relationships in young adulthood (18–25 years) are frequently characterized by experi-

mentation and risk-taking, this could make young adults particularly vulnerable to experience sexual

harassment by a dating or committed partner. This study examines youngadults’victimizat ion and per-

petration experiences of online and in-person sexual harassmentwith their dating or committed part-

ner, and explores the role of the Dark Triad personality traits. We conducted a cross-sectional survey

among 458 young adults, 371 of whom were in a romantic relationship (M

age

=20.80, SD

age

=1.51,

25.6% men). Our f‌indings revealed that all measured sexual harassment experiences were signif‌icantly

more prevalent among young adults in dating relationships compared to those in committed relation-

ships. Furthermore, in both relationship types, all online and in-person experiences of sexual harass-

ment were signif‌icantly linked, indicating that these harmful experiences occur across contexts.

Additionally, all victimization and perpetration experiences were signif‌icantly linked in both relation-

ship types, meaning that some young adults were both victims and perpetrators of these behaviors.

Lastly, we found that sexual harassment was linked to narcissism in dating relationships, but to

Machiavellianism in committed relationships, indicating that different strategies may explain these

behaviors.

Keywords

sexual harassment, online versus in-person, dark triad traits, young adults, intimate partner

violence, cyber dating abuse

1

imec-mict, Department of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Political & Social Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

2

IRCP, Department of Criminology, Criminal Law & Social Law, Faculty of Law & Criminology, Ghent University, Ghent,

Belgium

3

Faculty of Social Sciences, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium

Corresponding Author:

Janneke M. Schokkenbroek, IMEC-MICT, Ghent University, Miriam Makebaplein 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.

Email: Janneke.Schokkenbroek@UGent.be

Original Article

International Criminal Justice Review

2024, Vol. 34(3) 262-283

© 2023 Georgia State University

Article reuse guidelines:

sagepub.com/journals-permissions

DOI: 10.1177/10575677231214181

journals.sagepub.com/home/icj

Introduction

Young adulthood, typically spanning the age 18 to 25 (Arnett, 2000), marks a signif‌icant transi-

tion from adolescence to adulthood. Compared to adolescence, young adulthood is generally char-

acterized by increased independence, responsibility and self-awareness (Arnett, 1998). Compared

to adulthood, however, young adults are still exploring their identity and learning how to build

healthy relationships and boundaries (Arnett, 2000), and are more inclined to take risks (Giordano

et al., 2012). Thus, while young adults’romantic relationships are generally more committed com-

pared to adolescents’relationships, they often still involve exploration, experimentation, and risk-

taking (Arnett, 2000; Meier & Allen, 2009). This can render young adults particularly vulnerable

to harmful behaviors within their romantic relationships, such as sexual harassment.

The internet plays a pivotal role in shaping and maintaining modern romantic relationships.

Digital technology provides young adults with new and convenient avenues to connect with

(potential) partners. Social media and online dating platforms, for example, make it easier for

young adults to f‌ind potential partners. In fact, recent statistics indicate that young adults are the

most active age group on social media sites such as TikTok (42%; Ceci, 2022) and on the

world’s largest dating app, Tinder (35%; Iqbal, 2023). Within established committed relationships,

digital communication tools (e.g., instant messaging, FaceTime) help partners stay connected and

enhance intimacy, even when they are physically apart. Despite these benef‌its, digital technology

can also negatively impact young adults’romantic relationships, as online communication tools

may facilitate harmful interpersonal behaviors such as sexual harassment.

The present study examines online and in-person sexual harassment experiences in young adults’

romantic relationships. Additionally, studies have shown that these harmful behaviors are often

(partly) driven by specif‌ic personality traits (e.g., Hardies, 2019). Particular research attention has

been given to the Dark Triad personality traits Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy in

explaining harmful interpersonal behaviors (e.g., Carton & Egan, 2017). Thus, the present study

explores the role of the Dark Triad traits in young adults’online and in-person sexual harassment

experiences in their romantic relationships. Recognizing that young adults tend to explore different

types of relationships (Arnett, 2000), we differentiate between two types of romantic relationships:

Dating relationships, where individuals are getting to know each other and deciding whether to

pursue a committed relationship, and committed relationships, where exclusivity and commitment

generally are established between partners.

1

Sexual Harassment in Young Adults’Romantic Relationships

Sexual harassmentcovers a range of unwanted and inappropriate sexual behaviors, including verbal

conduct (Fitzgerald et al., 1997). Sexual harassment is a pervasive problem that affects people of all

ages, with young adults being particularly vulnerable to experience sexual harassment (Mumford

et al., 2020). Several factors contribute to this vulnerability. For example, young adults are less expe-

rienced with navigating social relationships, have limited awareness of boundaries and consent, and

may have limited knowledge about or (f‌inancial) access to support and resources (Vanheusden

et al., 2008). Their understanding of harassment and their help-seeking skills may also be underdevel-

oped, as younger adults f‌ind it more diff‌icult to recognize harassment (Palumbo, 2017). Additionally,

young adults are particularly sensitive to peer inf‌luence in developing their attitudes and beliefs about

social interactions and behaviors (Schwartz, 2016), making them more susceptible to engage in risky

behaviors thattheir peers consider acceptableor even favorable (Gardner & Steinberg,2005). This sus-

ceptibility to peer inf‌luence extends to accepting or participatingin sexually harassing behaviors when

peers condone them (Horn & Poteat, 2022).

Although most sexual harassment research has focused on public spaces or workplaces (e.g.,

Hardies, 2019), it can also occur in romantic relationships. However, while the amount of literature

Schokkenbroek et al. 263