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Doctoral Candidate Brochure: Rachel O'Donnell

Doctoral Dissertation Defense
of
Rachel L. O'Donnell


For the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy
Health Education and Promotion

The Moderating Effect of Comprehensive Sexuality Education on Risk Factors for Sexual Violence Perpetration

 

March 20, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Nixson Hall Room 124

The Moderating Effect of Comprehensive Sexuality Education on Risk Factors for Sexual Violence Perpetration

The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of comprehensive sexuality education on risk factors linked to perpetration of sexually violent behavior among males. Comprehensive sexuality education was viewed as a potential protective factor against sexually violent behavior through its ability to moderate against risk factors commonly identified in perpetrators of sexual violence. Comprehensive sexuality education was also viewed as being predictive of sexually violent behavior amongst participants. Comprehensive sexuality education was evaluated using scores on a 11-item scale developed by the researcher. Sexually violent behavior was measured is two ways; behaviors in the last 12 months and behaviors since age 14. A 16-item scale was used to develop a separate score for each of these behavior categories. Lastly, five risk factors for sexual violence perpetration were measured using scores on 5 scales, each corresponding with the respective risk factor.

The participants in the study were 156 traditionally aged (18-24), cisgender, heterosexual, male students enrolled at a university. Several statistical procedures were conducted to analyze the data. Bivariate analysis and binomial logistic regression revealed that comprehensive sexuality education was significantly correlated and predictive of participant sexually violent behavior since the age of 14. Hierarchical regression confirmed the risk factors impersonal sex, rape myth acceptance, and situational alcohol use were significant predictors of participant sexually violent behavior since age 14. Finally, bivariate analysis confirmed a statistically significant correlation between the risk factors impersonal sex and situational alcohol use, and sexually violent behavior since age 14.

About the Candidate

Rachel L. O鈥橠onnell

M.Ed., Master of Education
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B.S., School Health Education
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Rachel has been a health educator for in Northeast Ohio for 14 years. Rachel works at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) within the Executive Education department. Specifically, she is the Coordinator/Instructor of the Health and Well-being Coaching Certificate Program. She teaches and mentors professional learners as they work to become nationally board-certified health coaches. Prior to this work, she taught as an adjunct instructor at 黑料网 in the Health Education and Promotion Program in which students can earn a degree as a community health educator or licensed school health teacher. Along with teaching in this program, Rachel has also supervised student teachers and was an evaluator for the K-STEP, an assessment portfolio for student teachers graduating from Kent State.

In addition to her work at NEOMED and Kent State, Rachel was a Curriculum Consultant for a curriculum writing team at Wright State University for 2 years. This team was funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop mental health and substance use prevention curriculums for students in grades K-12. Rachel has presented at local and national conferences on school health topics including mental health curriculum, substance use prevention curriculum, and empathy & health education. She is also a nationally board-certified health and well-being coach.

Doctoral Dissertation Committee

Director

Laurie Wagner, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Health Sciences
College of Education, Health and Human Services

Members

Kele Ding, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Health Sciences
College of Education, Health and Human Services

Angela Backus, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Health Sciences
College of Education, Health and Human Services

Cassie Storlie, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences
College of Education, Health and Human Services

Graduate Faculty Representative

Janice Kroeger, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies
College of Education, Health and Human Services