Casual Hook up Sex During the First Year of College: Prospective Associations with Attitudes about Sex and Love Relationships

This study examined bidirectional relationships among emerging adults’ involvement in casual hook up sex and attitudes about sex and love relationships. At the start and end of their first year in college, undergraduates (N = 163) responded to measures of sexual behavior, sexual attitudes, and attitudes about love relationships. In cross-sectional analyses, attitudes about sex and love both were associated with involvement in casual hook up sex. In prospective analyses, initial attitudes about sexual instrumentality uniquely predicted involvement in later hook up sex, even after controlling for past hook up sex. Furthermore, involvement in hook up sex during the first year of college predicted greater sexual permissiveness and comfort with casual genital contact, even after controlling for initial sexual attitudes and hook up behaviors. None of the associations between attitudes and behavior were qualified by gender. Experiences of causal hook up sex appear to have implications primarily for emerging adults’ attitudes about sexual interactions rather than their attitudes about love relationships.     

Parental Influence on Their Adult Children’s Sexual Values: A Multi-National Comparison Between the United States,Spain, Costa Rica,and Peru

We examined the influence of perceived parental sexual values, religiosity, and family environment on young adults’ sexual values from the United States (n = 218), Spain (n = 240), Costa Rica (n = 172), and Peru (n = 105). On average, and across the four national groups, the messages young adults received from their parents about broad domains of sexual behaviors (masturbation, non-intercourse types of heterosexual sexual activity, premarital sex, same-sex activity, and cohabiting) were unequivocally restrictive. By contrast, across the four groups, young adults on average held rather permissive sexual values and their values differed significantly from those of their parents. Moreover, the nature of perceived parental sexual values (restrictive vs. permissive) was not associated significantly with young adults’ sexual values, age of sexual debut, or number of sexual partners. Comparatively, Spanish young adults held the most permissive sexual values, whereas US young adults held the most restrictive sexual values. Religiosity was the strongest predictor of young adults’ sexual values, followed by perceived parental sexual values and influence. In conclusion, it appears that despite having perceived restrictive parental messages about sex, these young adults currently hold permissive sexual attitudes, thus calling into question the influence parents actually have on their adult children’s sexual values.     

Variation in Sexual Behaviors in a Cohort of Adolescent Females: The Role of Personal,Perceived Peer,and Perceived Family Attitudes

PurposeLittle is known about how adolescent sexual behaviors develop and the influence of personal or perceived social attitudes. We sought to describe how personal, perceived peer, and perceived family attitudes toward adolescent sexual activity influence sexual behaviors of adolescent females' over time.MethodsBetween the years of 1999 and 2006, 358 English-speaking female adolescents, aged 14–17 years, were recruited from three urban adolescent clinics. Participants completed quarterly and annual questionnaires over a span of 4 years. Primary outcomes included engagement in any of the following eight sexual behaviors: kissing, having breasts touched, having genitals touched, touching partners' genitals, oral giving, oral receiving, anal, or vaginal sex. Three attitudinal scales assessed personal importance of abstinence, perceived peer beliefs about when to have sex, and perceived family beliefs that adolescent sex is negative. We used generalized estimating equations to identify predictors of each sexual behavior and compared whether personal, perceived peer, or perceived family attitudes predicted sexual behaviors over time.ResultsThe odds of reporting each sexual behavior increased with age but were lower among those whose personal or perceived family attitudes were less positive. Participants' personal attitudes toward adolescent sex were the strongest predictor of engagement in all eight sexual behaviors even after controlling for perceived peer and perceived family attitudes.ConclusionsFemale adolescent's personal attitudes toward abstinence appear to be the strongest predictor of engagement in a variety of sexual behaviors. Efforts to influence adolescent attitudes toward abstinence may be an important approach to reducing sexual behaviors that increase the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.     

Sex, Commitment, and Casual Sex Relationships Among College Men: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Using a sample of 200 emerging adult male college students, we examined how men varied in the meanings they gave to sex and their self-reported engagement in two types of casual sex relationships (hookups and friends with benefits). Using qualitative methods, we conducted a content analysis of men’s written responses to a series of questions about the meanings they ascribed to sex (i.e., intercourse), their perceived connection between sex and commitment, and how they believed these meanings were related to their sexual behavior. Three groups of men emerged: Committers, Flexibles, and Recreationers. Groups were then compared on social desirability, demographic characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, year in school, religious service attendance), and self-reported casual sexual behaviors in the past 12 months. Analyses showed that men in the Flexibles and Recreationers groups engaged in significantly more hookups and had significantly more friends with benefits partners in the past 12 months than did men in the Committers group. Implications for relationship education intervention aimed at men and research on casual sex relationships are discussed.     

Adolescents' perceptions of maternal disapproval of sex: relationship to sexual outcomes.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between adolescents' perceptions of maternal abstinence attitudes, adolescent-maternal relationship satisfaction, and the occurrence in the ensuing 12 months of: (a) sexual intercourse, (b) the use of birth control at intercourse, and (c) the occurrence of pregnancy. We also examined the accuracy of adolescents in perceiving the attitudes of their mothers as well as factors that predicted underestimations of these attitudes. Finally, the study evaluated the relative predictive power of adolescent perceptions of maternal abstinence attitudes and the actual maternal abstinence attitudes. METHODS: This was a prospective study using a subsample of the Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health database, which is a nationally representative school-based sample. The sample for the present study was approximately 10,000 adolescents in grades 7 to 11 who completed 2 interviews in their homes at a 1-year interval. Mothers of the adolescents were interviewed only during Wave 1. Interviews covered a variety of topics, including adolescent risk behaviors and family relationships. Measures at Wave 1 were used to predict outcomes at Wave 2, employing logistic and multiple regression techniques. RESULTS: Adolescents' perceptions of maternal attitudes toward the adolescents' engaging in sexual intercourse, and adolescent satisfaction with the maternal relationship were predictive of the occurrence of sexual intercourse between Wave 1 and Wave 2, as well as the occurrence of pregnancy. The more disapproving adolescents perceived their mothers to be toward their engaging in sexual intercourse and the more satisfied adolescents were with their relationship with their mothers, the less likely adolescents were to initiate sexual activity or to become pregnant. Only relationship satisfaction was predictive of the use of birth control, such that more satisfied adolescents were more likely to use birth control at their most recent intercourse. The correlation between adolescent perceptions of maternal abstinence attitudes and actual maternal attitudes was .26. Adolescent perceptions of maternal attitudes tended to be a more consistent predictor of outcomes than actual maternal attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with a growing body of literature that suggests the importance of adolescents' perceptions of maternal attitudes in determining sexual risk behaviors. Adolescents may misperceive the attitudes of parents, suggesting the need for communication between parent and teen.     

Sexual Knowledge,Sexual Attitude,and Life Satisfaction Among Korean Older Adults: Implications for Educational Programs

The aim of this study was to: identify the sexual knowledge, sexual attitude, and life satisfaction in Korean older adults; and explore significant factors among demographic characteristics, sexual activity, sexual knowledge, and sexual attitude, that influence life satisfaction among Korean older adults. Participants were recruited in community centers and public parks (N = 571). Data were collected on sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes, and life satisfaction using three valid and reliable instruments. Data were analyzed using t test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. Educational level, gender, and living arrangement significantly affected sexual knowledge and attitudes (p < .001) among older adults. There was a positive relationship between sexual knowledge and attitudes (r = .490, p < .001), life satisfaction and sexual knowledge (r = .144, p = .001), and life satisfaction and sexual attitudes (r = .121, p = .004). Age (β = .16, t = 3.45, p < .01), gender (β = .52, t = 2.07, p < .05), presence of spouse (β = ?.12, t = ?2.42, p < .05), and sexual knowledge (β = .10, t = 2.17, p < .05) were factors with a significant influence on life satisfaction for older adults. When designing and implementing sexual counseling and education programs for older adults, individual background, sexual knowledge, and sexual attitudes must be assessed and considered. Also, those without spouses who live alone may need more attention because they tend to have low knowledge levels and negative attitudes toward sexual activity.     

Sibling Influences on Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Safe Sex Practices*

We examined the role of older siblings in protecting adolescents from engaging in unsafe sexual practices. Participants included 297 midwestern high school students who were approximately 17 years old and who responded to questionnaires assessing their attitudes toward sexual intercourse, self‐efficacy for engaging in safe sex, and discussions with their older siblings and parents about sex. Results suggested that sibling discussions about safe sex, in conjunction with parental discussions, predicted better attitudes toward safe sexual practices for adolescents. Perceptions of sibling relationship quality were more closely associated with sibling discussions about safe sex than were older siblings’ general attitudes toward safer sexual intercourse. Thus, sibling relationship quality may serve a protective function by facilitating more frequent sibling discussions about safe sex.     

Adolescents’ Use of Sexually Explicit Internet Material Over the Course of 2019–2020 in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-wave Panel Study

Recently, sexual health scholars have expressed concerns regarding adolescents’ use of sexually explicit internet materials (SEIM) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, using latent growth curve modeling, the current study explored adolescents’ changes in the frequency of SEIM use before, during, and after a strict lockdown period was established in Belgium. Attention was given to individual differences (i.e., gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pubertal timing, and sensation seeking). A three-wave panel study over a 15-month period among 522 adolescents was used (M_age?=?15.36, SD?=?1.51, 67.1% girls). In general, SEIM use did not significantly increase over a 15-month period in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only gender predicted a change in SEIM use frequencies with girls showing a greater, increasing change of SEIM use than boys. When addressing why adolescents used SEIM during a strict lockdown period, sexual arousal, stress, and boredom regulation motivations emerged as the most prevalent motivations. Loneliness regulation was the least prominent motivation. Individual differences were found regarding the gratifications sought according to adolescents’ gender, pubertal timing, and sensation seeking. The findings offer a response to sexual scholars’ worries in terms of adolescents’ SEIM use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

Influential Factors of Puerto Rican Mother–Child Communication About Sexual Health Topics

Introduction Latina mothers play a central role in raising and socializing their children; however, few studies have examined the cultural, socio-cognitive and neighborhood-related variables influencing the level of communication between Puerto Rican mothers and their children about sexuality and sexual health. This cross-sectional study sought to examine these influences. Methods Puerto Rican mothers with children aged 10–19 years (n = 193) were selected randomly for an ethnographic interview as part of a community participatory action research project in a U.S. urban northeastern community. Results Bivariate analyses found statistically significant associations between the child’s age (p = 0.002), the mother’s past communication about traditional gender role norms of women (marianismo) (p < 0.001), her positive outcome expectations for communications with her child (p < 0.025), and her perceptions of the physical condition (p < 0.001) and sexual health problems (p = 0.047) in the neighborhood. In a multivariate model, all of these variables remained significant except sexual health problems, and mother’s attitudes toward the obligations of children to parents (familismo) emerged as a factor associated with a decrease in the number of sexual health topics that mothers raised with their children. No significant effects were found for mother’s spiritual and religious experience (religiosidad). Discussion Our study highlights the importance of marianismo as a framework within which Puerto Rican mothers communicate sexual health information as well as the need to improve mothers’ confidence discussing sexual health issues with their children. Future public health interventions to promote communication about sexuality and sexual health among Puerto Rican mothers should consider addressing this issue as a part of comprehensive neighborhood improvement projects.     

Same-Sex Sexual Attraction Does Not Spread in Adolescent Social Networks

Peers have a powerful effect on adolescents’ beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Here, we examine the role of social networks in the spread of attitudes towards sexuality using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Although we found evidence that both sexual activity (OR = 1.79) and desire to have a romantic relationship (OR = 2.69) may spread from person to person, attraction to same sex partners did not spread (OR = 0.96). Analyses of comparable power to those that suggest positive and significant peer-to-peer influence in sexual behavior fail to demonstrate a significant relationship on sexual attraction between friends or siblings. These results suggest that peer influence has little or no effect on the tendency toward heterosexual or homosexual attraction in teens, and that sexual orientation is not transmitted via social networks.     

Male Escorts’ and Male Clients’ Sexual Behavior During Their Last Commercial Sexual Encounter: Comparing and Contrasting Findings from Two Online Studies

Much of what is known about commercial sexual encounters between men is based on data gathered from escorts. With few exceptions, studies have not compared male clients’ reports of behavior during commercial sexual encounters with male escorts’. The present study draws from two datasets, a 2012 survey of clients (n = 495) and a 2013 survey of escorts (n = 387)—both used virtually identical measures of sexual behavior during the most recent commercial sexual encounter. For clients and escorts, the majority eschewed having sex without a condom, and kissing and oral sex were among the most common behaviors reported. Using logistic regression, both samples were compared across 15 sexual behaviors, finding significant differences in six—the escort sample had greater odds of reporting their last commercial sexual encounter involved watching the client masturbate, viewing porn, role play (dad/son, dominant/submissive), and having prior sexual experience with their commercial partner. The escort sample had lower odds of reporting that the client watched the escort masturbate, and being told partner’s HIV status. In multivariable modeling, both samples did not significantly differ in reports of condomless anal sex. Male–male commercial sexual encounters appear to be involved in a wide range of sexual behaviors, many of which convey low-to-no risk of HIV transmission.     

Sexual Functioning and Selected Clinical and Psychosocial Factors Among Individuals with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain in Ibadan,Nigeria

Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) has significant impact on psychosocial life, functional status, and sexual functioning. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction, and influence of selected clinical and psychosocial factors on sexual functioning were investigated in patients with CNLP in Ibadan, Nigeria. Sexual function, pain intensity, pain disability, quality of life were assessed using a modified questionnaire on sexual dysfunction in CNLBP, visual analogue scale, Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire and quality of life questionnaires respectively. General attitude to sexuality, fear of increased pain at the low back, unwillingness to have sex, expression of sexual feelings, fear of losing the ability to perform sexual activities were assessed with the modified questionnaire. Participants (50 males; 46 females) were aged 46.7 ± 11.8 years. Orgasmic sexual dysfunction (50.0%) was the most prevalent while dysfunction with sexual satisfaction (14.6%) was the least prevalent. Participants with or without sexual dysfunction did not differ significantly in age (p = 0.07), pain duration (p = 0.64), pain disability (p = 0.76) and quality of life (p = 0.64). However, they differed significantly in pain intensity (p = 0.00). Significant associations exist between gender (p = 0.000) and sexual functioning. Participants’ sexual functioning were significantly influenced by psychosocial factors willingness to have sex (p = 0.013), expression of sexual feelings (p = 0.000). Participants’ pain intensity also significantly influenced (p = 0.00) their sexual functioning. Sexual dysfunction is prevalent among individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain and was influenced by clinical factors of pain intensity, pain disability, quality of life and psychosocial factors of general attitude towards sexuality, expression of sexual feelings, and willingness to have sex.     

Need for intimacy in relationships and motives for sex as determinants of adolescent condom use.

PURPOSE: To investigate the extent to which need for intimacy in relationships and motives for sex are capable of distinguishing between adolescents who always have protected sex and adolescents who do not, with reference to both steady and casual relationships. METHODS: Seven-hundred-and-one adolescents (424 males and 277 females) aged 15 to 23 years filled out a questionnaire assessing determinants of sexual behavior and various outcome behaviors, such as having casual sex and condom use. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the participants (470) were sexually experienced. Discriminant functions using constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (attitude, subjective norm, self-efficacy), as well as the need for intimacy in relationships and motives for sex, were found to distinguish significantly between adolescents who always had protected sexual intercourse and adolescents who did not. This was valid both for sex within steady and within casual relationships. Besides a positive attitude and high perceived subjective norms, protected sex with a steady partner was characterized by low scores on the scale for the motive for sex to express love, and on the scale for the need for intimacy in relationships. Consistent condom use with casual partners was related to high self-efficacy, attitude, and perceived subjective norms, as well as a greater need for intimacy in relationships. Gender differences emerged with respects to determinants of (un)safe sex with casual partner(s), in that for males the variables of the Theory of Planned Behavior were most important in distinguishing those who had unsafe casual sex from those who had safe casual sex. For females, on the other hand, the variables concerning the meaning attached to having sex or to the relationship within which sex occurs seemed to be of more significance in explaining (un)safe sex with casual partner(s). However, owing to small subsamples, caution is warranted when interpreting these differences. CONCLUSIONS: In adolescence, the factors which influence the decision to have (un)protected sex depend on the kind of relationship that exists between the partners. In addition, the goals which adolescents pursue with regard to their relationships and with regard to having sex fulfill an important role in the decision-making process whether to use condoms.     

The Association Between Men’s Concern About Demonstrating Masculine Characteristics and Their Sexual Risk Behaviors: Findings from the Dominican Republic

Quantitative analyses exploring the relationship between masculinities and men’s sexual risk behaviors have most commonly used one dimension of masculinities: men’s gender ideology. Examining other dimensions may enhance our understanding of and ability to intervene upon this relationship. In this article, we examined the association between gender role conflict/stress (GRC/S)—men’s concern about demonstrating masculine characteristics—and three different sexual risk behaviors (having two or more sex partners in the last 30 days; never/inconsistent condom use with non-steady partners; and drinking alcohol at last sex) among a sample of heterosexual men in the Dominican Republic who were participating in an HIV prevention intervention (n = 293). The GRC/S Scale we used was adapted for this specific cultural context and has 17 items (α = 0.75). We used logistic regression to assess the relationship between GRC/S and each sexual behavior, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. In adjusted models, a higher GRC/S score was significantly associated with increased odds of having two or more sex partners in the past 30 days (AOR 1.33, 95 % CI 1.01–1.74), never/inconsistent condom use with non-steady partners (AOR 1.45, 95 % CI 1.04–2.01), and drinking alcohol at last sex (AOR 1.56, 95 % CI 1.13–2.17). These results highlight the importance of expanding beyond gender ideology to understanding the influence of GRC/S on men’s sexual risk behaviors. Interventions should address men’s concern about demonstrating masculine characteristics to reduce the social and internalized pressure men feel to engage in sexual risk behaviors.     

A Qualitative Study of University Students’ Perceptions of Oral Sex, Intercourse, and Intimacy

Oral sex is a common and normative part of young people’s sexual behavior, yet there is concern that young people perceive oral sex as a casual, non-intimate behavior. The current study used a qualitative methodology to improve our understanding of the factors that contributed to university students’ perceptions of the intimacy of sexual behaviors. Participants included 50 women and 35 men (17–24 years old) who responded to an open-ended intimacy questionnaire which asked them to describe the reasons for their perception of the relative intimacy of oral sex and intercourse. Responses were analyzed using conventional content analysis procedures. The majority (91 %) of participants perceived intercourse as more intimate than oral sex. Five key themes emerged from participant responses. Participants perceived intercourse as more intimate than oral sex because: (1) it is a symbol of love and commitment; (2) it is mutual; (3) it involves greater risks and benefits; and (4) oral sex is not discussed. A small subset perceived oral sex as more intimate than intercourse because (5) it required focusing on a partner. Overall, the findings highlight the role of formal and informal education in shaping young people’s perceptions of the intimacy of sexual behavior.     

Impulsivity Dimensions and Risky Sex Behaviors in an At-Risk Young Adult Sample

Impulsivity is a personality-based risk factor that has been well studied in relation to risky sexual behavior. Recent conceptualizations of impulsivity have proposed multidimensional facets comprised of premeditation, perseverance, sensation seeking, negative urgency, and positive urgency (UPPS-P model). Prior studies have found that these facets are associated with risky sexual behavior in adolescent and college student samples, but no prior studies have evaluated them in clinical samples. The current study examined how impulsivity-related traits related to two different risky sexual behaviors in a clinical sample of at-risk young adults who had both conduct disorder and substance use disorder symptoms as adolescents (n = 529). Lack of premeditation was also tested as a moderator of the relationship between facets of impulsivity and both risky sex outcomes. Results demonstrated that sensation seeking, negative urgency, and positive urgency were correlated with risky sex behaviors. Additionally, multiple regression analyses indicated that sensation seeking was uniquely associated with the number of sexual partners in the past 5 years, whereas positive urgency was uniquely associated with unprotected sex while under the influence. Finally, a significant interaction between lack of premeditation and negative urgency suggests that at-risk young adults with both high negative urgency and lack of premeditation were the likeliest to have the most sexual partners in the past 5 years. This study adds to the current understanding of the relationship between reward- and affect-driven facets of impulsivity and risky sexual behaviors and may lend utility to the development of interventions for at-risk populations.     

HIV Testing Characteristics Among Hispanic Adolescents

Hispanic adolescents are disproportionally impacted by HIV/AIDS. Among Hispanic people living with HIV, delayed testing and late entry into HIV care have been documented. The current study examined Hispanic adolescents’ HIV testing characteristics and factors related to testing. Adolescents aged 13–16 (N = 223) completed a survey on HIV testing motivation, perceptions, and experience, sexual behavior, and substance use. Results indicate few adolescents (9 %) had taken an HIV test. Among those who have not been tested, 32.5 % expressed interest in testing. HIV testing was favorably perceived with 82.4 % reported testing should be done with all youth or those are sexually active. Adolescents who had engaged in high risk behaviors (history of sexual intercourse, substance use) were more likely to have been tested or to express interest in testing. Given that HIV testing is positively perceived by Hispanic adolescents, prevention efforts should focus on minimizing barriers and enhancing accessibility to HIV screening.     

Determinants of Punitive Attitudes Toward People with Pedophilia: Dissecting Effects of the Label and Intentionality Ascriptions

Recent research has established marked punitive attitudes against people sexually interested in children. These negative attitudes are even more pronounced when such sexual interest is labeled as pedophilia, but are attenuated to the extent that such sexual interest is perceived as beyond one’s own control (unintentional). We explored these effects in more detail by separately manipulating the label (pedophiles vs. people with sexual interest in prepubescent children) and degree of intentionality (pedophilia or sexual desire as malleable vs. not malleable). Participants recruited via an online platform (N = 423) were randomly assigned to the experimental conditions and asked to rate degree of intentionality, dangerousness, deviance, and punitive attitudes toward people sexually interested in children. As expected, participants expressed stronger punitive attitudes when the label was present. The manipulation of intentionality, however, was not successful. Further analyses explored whether participants found the notion that sexual interest cannot be altered at will more credible than the opposite, particularly in presence of the pedophilia label. The results are discussed with regard to the significance of and potential intervention against the markedly strong public stigma against people with pedophilia.