Gender-Based Victimization and Gender Norms Among Adolescent Girls: A Latent Profile Analysis

Abstract

Distinct forms of gender-based victimization (e.g., sexist experiences, slut-shaming, sexual harassment, and homophobic bullying) are often studied in isolation among adolescent girls, yet some girls are likely to experience multiple forms simultaneously. Researchers have theorized that these forms of gender-based victimization can function to regulate culturally acceptable gendered expression and behavior, but more empirical work is needed to understand these linkages. We had two aims: (a) to identify profiles of gender-based victimization (i.e., sexist experiences, slut-shaming, sexual harassment, and homophobic bullying) among adolescent girls and (b) to understand how these profiles are associated with girls’ relationships to gender norms (i.e., gender expression, internalized sexism, internalized sexualization, and sexual identity). We analyzed data from a larger study on adolescents’ peer experiences and attitudes in Québec, Canada (n = 203 girls, M_age = 15.4 years, 30% racialized minorities). We used latent profile analysis to identify patterns of gender-based victimization experiences, and then we used latent variable multinomial regression to test the association between the profiles of victimization and girls’ relationships to gender norms. The best model was a two-profile solution: High Victimization and Low Victimization. Compared to the Low Victimization group, participants in the High Victimization group were more likely to identify as sexual minorities and report higher levels of internalized sexualization. Our findings support intervention and prevention approaches that focus on the links between multiple forms of gender-based violence and that acknowledge sexualization and sexual minority status as risk factors. Ultimately, our results suggest that one function of gender-based victimization is policing gender norms.