The influence of parents,church, and peers on the sexual attitudes and behaviors of college students

Male and female undergraduate students were surveyed concerning their sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and contraceptive behavior. In addition, the general attitudes about sexuality the students perceived as communicated to them by their parents, their church, and their peers were assessed. It was found for female students that general attitudes about sexuality, as defined on an erotophilia-erotophobia dimension, and sexual behaviors were correlated with the perceived attitudes of peers, rather than those of parents and church. However, male students' attitudes and some sexual behaviors were correlated with the perceived attitudes of their parents, rather than the views of their peers and church. Church attitudes were not found to be related to any of the measures. None of the sources of influence, parents, peers, or church attitudes, or erotophilia-erotophobia was related to contraceptive behavior.This article is taken from the first author's undergraduate honors thesis, prepared under the supervision of the second author.     

青少年性知识、性态度和性行为现状研究

【目的】了解青少年性与生殖健康知识、态度和行为现状,为相关研究和干预提供依据。【方法】于2005年6~9月对武汉市桥口区、武昌区和青山区三所中学共2 987名初中学生进行知识、态度、行为(knowledge,attitude and practice,KAP)问卷调查。【结果】青少年已具备一定的青春期知识,但对生殖系统和功能缺乏系统的认识,一些概念模糊不清;男性的知识好于女性;初一学生的知识水平低于初二、初三学生。男性在对待青少年谈恋爱和性行为问题上的态度要比女性宽容。14.0%的调查对象谈过恋爱;随着年级升高,有过恋爱经历的比例逐渐增高。1.3%的调查对象有过性交经历;男生有过性交经历的比例(1.7%)高于女生(0.9%)。大多数青少年认为青春期性教育是必需的。【结论】充分了解青少年的性知识、性态度和性行为现状对设计良好的干预项目极有帮助。青春期性教育应是全社会关注的焦点之一。     

Influence of sexual orientation and age on disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in women

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the influence of age on the association between sexual orientation and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in women. METHOD: Heterosexual (n=47) and homosexual (n=45) women recruited from the community completed self-report questionnaires including the Body Esteem Scale, the Eating Disorders Inventory-2, the Reasons for Exercise Inventory, and the Self Esteem Scale. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis of variance of eating disorder variables revealed a main effect for sexual orientation on drive for thinness and exercise to control weight and a main effect for age on body mass index (BMI) and body dissatisfaction, but it did not reveal a significant interaction between sexual orientation and age. DISCUSSION: Sexual orientation may influence certain types of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in women such as endorsing an extreme ideal of thinness. However, homosexual and heterosexual women reported more similarities than differences.     

The relationship of sexual daydreaming to sexual activity,sexual drive,and sexual attitudes for women across the life-span

The association among sexual daydreaming and sexual attitudes and activity was examined in a cross-sectional life-span sample of women (N = 117, 26 to 78 years). Sexual daydreaming was measured using the Imaginal Processes Inventory (IPI) while sexual history measures of sexual activity, sexual drive, and sexual attitudes were derived from a comprehensive personal interview. A factor analysis and varimax rotation of the sexual history variables, age, and the Sexual Daydream Scale of the IPI revealed three primary factors representing dimensions of sexual activity and drive, attitudes toward sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction. Age was associated with less sexual daydreaming, less sexual drive, less sexual activity, and more negative sexual attitudes. Sexual daydreaming varied directly with sexual drive and sexual activity and with a positive sexual attitude.     

上海市中学生性相关知识、态度及行为分析

目的了解中学生的性相关知识、态度与行为。方法采用匿名自填式问卷对上海市某区11所中学3069名初一和高一年级学生进行调查。结果中学生的生殖健康知识水平较低，初中生和高中生的总知识得分分别为33．85分和55．08分；对中学生谈恋爱和婚前性行为的态度较开放，4／5的高中生和超过半数的初中生对婚前性行为持认同或理解态度；约1／4的高中生和约6％的初中生谈过恋爱或与异性有过拥抱行为。结论随着年龄的增长，中学生对性相关问题的态度趋于开放。性相关行为的发生比例趋于升高。然而，他们却普遍缺乏生殖健康知识。针对中学生的生殖健康问题家庭和学校应加强教育。     

学龄前儿童常见性相关行为及早期性教育探讨

目的 了解深圳市福田区学龄前儿童性心理健康状况,分析儿童的性相关行为表现及流行病学特点,为开展早期性教育提供科学依据.方法 随机整群抽取深圳市福田区3所幼儿园共600名儿童,用自行设计的学龄前儿童性教育问卷调查表(家长用)进行儿童性心理行为问题调查.结果 共收回514份有效问卷,有性相关行为表现的儿童共314名,占61.1%.其中前五位性相关行为表现排序为抚摸生殖器、看父母洗澡、看小朋友上厕所、做新郎新娘游戏、喜爱异性的服装和玩具;多数家长认为学龄前儿童有必要进行早期性教育.结论 提高教育者的性知识水平和性教育意识,在家庭生活中正确引导,在幼儿园开设科学的早期性教育课程,是培养儿童健康性心理的有效措施.     

Oral contraceptives,androgens, and the sexuality of young women: I. A comparison of sexual experience,sexual attitudes,and gender role in oral contraceptive users and nonusers

Female undergraduates (108) volunteered for a study of hormones and sexuality, 55 of whom were oral contraceptive (OC) users. In this paper, OC users and nonusers are compared on measures of sexual attitudes and behavior, use of erotic fantasy, and gender role. In the second paper, the effects of OC on androgen levels and the relationship between androgens and behavioral measures within each group are reported. OC users were more likely to have a current sexual partner and less likely to be virgins. The two groups did not differ in frequency of masturbation or use of erotic fantasies. OC users reported less restrictive sexual morality and more interest in erotic images. These differences persisted when women without current partners were excluded. Among those in active sexual relationships, OC users reported more frequent sexual intercourse, higher psychosexual motivation and enjoyment, and were more positive in their evaluation of their partners than OC nonusers.Grant acknowledgement supported in part by a Medical Research Council of Canada Grant (No. MA-8707) awarded to B. B. Sherwin.     

The effects of sexual status on threat,attack, and subordinate behaviors of Papio monkeys

Performance and reception of threat, attack, and subordinate behaviors at different phases of the perineal cycle in 24 female papio monkeys (superspecies Papio cynocephalus)was compared. The subjects ranged in age from 36 to 42 months at the inception of the study and were observed over a 2-year period. Females performed significantly fewer threat and attack behaviors during the swollen phase of the perineal cycle and showed no significant differences in the reception of the three behavioral measures. The reduction in the performance of aggression that occurs during the swollen phase of the perineal cycle reflects a shift in the focus of interactions during consortship to a single male.     

Sexual interest,attitudes, knowledge,and sexual history in relation to sexual behavior in the institutionalized aged

Although the idea that sexuality is a lifelong need is gaining greater research support and greater acceptability to the general public, few consider the institutionalized aged as having sexual needs or being able to benefit from sexual intimacy. The research presented here indicates that sexual activity in the institutionalized aged is related to their attitudes and behavior to ward sexuality and to their sexual interest level and prior frequency of sexual activity. Institutionalized aged persons evidence sexual needs and do engage in sexual behavior.The present research was supported by NIMH Grant R01-MH280409-01-02 to the author.     

Sexual behavior and attitudes of University students in Northern Ireland

Two surveys of a Northern Ireland student sample were conducted in 1987 and 1988. A total of 419 female and 201 male subjects completed self-administered anonymous questionnaires concerning their behavior, knowledge, and attitudes towards sex, AIDS, homosexuality, contraception, and relationships. Results indicated a relatively low level of sexual experience, and for those with experience, relatively few partners. The possible influences of gender and religiosity on sexual behavior and attitudes, in the context of Northern Ireland, are discussed. Subjects reported considerable variation in the amount of sex education, but the majority received little or none. This student sample held relatively conservative attitudes towards love, sex, and marriage and this was particularly true for females and for regular churchgoers. In addition, attitudes towards homosexuality were negative (particularly among regular churchgoers). Attitudes towards contraception were more positive than expected among Catholic subjects, and few indicated that they would refuse to use contraceptives on principle. Responses to items about AIDS were highly uniform, suggesting that much of the information made available to the public has been absorbed. However, the lack of uniformity of response to more general items about sex, relationships, and contraception may indicate that fundamental changes in sexual behavior are unlikely to be brought about by influencing a rather narrowly defined set of attitudes about AIDS.     

上海郊区青少年性知识、性态度和性行为调查

目的：了解上海市郊青少年性与生殖健康知识、态度和行为。方法：对上海青浦区3个镇的806名15-18岁青少年进行结构式问卷调查。结果：被调查的青少年已具备一定的青春期性知识，但对生殖系统和功能方面缺乏系统性的认识，一些概念含糊不清。男性的知识好于女性。中专、职校、技校学生的知识得分低于其他学校和非学生。大多数被调查对青少年中发生恋爱性行为持理解和宽容的态度。当地青少年中已有性行为发生，虽然几乎半数人知识性行为可能导致的后果，但首次性行为避孕使用率却很低。他们的性知识主要来源于学校、医学书刊/杂志和同学。大多数被调查对象认为青春期性教育是必需的但学校性教育仅满足了青少年对性知识的部分需求。结论：充分了解目前青少年的性知识、性态度和性行为对设计良好的干预项目极有帮助。青春期性教育是全社会均应关注的社会焦点。     

Sexual attitudes and risk-taking behaviors of high school students in Turkey

BACKGROUND: The risk of sexually transmitted diseases is high but opportunities of sexual education for adolescents are limited in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual attitudes and behaviors and to determine the predictors of sexual initiation among adolescents. METHODS: A questionnaire designed by the researchers was administered to 861 senior year high school students in their classrooms. RESULTS: The rates of masturbation and sexual intercourse and the median partner numbers among males were higher than females. The rates of having negative feelings after the first sex among females were higher than males. The rates of having sexual intercourse and the mean age at first sexual intercourse among males were similar to developed countries. However, the use of a condom at first intercourse was low. Lower academic performance and grade repetition experience among males and cigarette smoking among both gender groups were related to having sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first studies about sexual risk-taking behaviors among high school students in Turkey. Differences found between gender groups regarding attitudes and behaviors reflect the social structure in Turkey. These findings may be helpful in producing effective solutions for improving education and preventive health care.     

The influence of female power in marriage on sexual behaviors and attitudes: A holocultural study

Abernethy (1974) hypothesized that the quality and quantity of sexual activity within marriage is affected by the dominance relations between partners. This paper reviews her argument and the reactions it engendered. A holocultural test of the relationship between a wife's power within marriage and various measures of sexual behaviors and attitudes is conducted to explore one aspect of Abernethy's position. The results suggest that high levels of female power within marriage do not have an adverse affect on male sexual functioning. Results also indicate that societies characterized by high female power within marriage exhibit behaviors and attitudes which Western thought sees as sexually healthy.Part of this research was conducted while the author was supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities Residential Fellowship (1981–1982).     

南京市大学生性行为及影响因素分析

目的 了解大学生性行为现状及主要影响因素,为针对性地开展大学生艾滋病及性健康教育提供依据.方法 采用逐级整群抽样,选取江苏省南京市5所高校3238名大学生进行自填式问卷调查,对90名大学生进行个人定性访谈.结果 10.7%的大学生有过性行为,其中33.4%有多性伴,性行为不坚持使用安全套者占70.0%,13.5%自己或性伴有流产经历.多因素分析表明,大学生性行为与城市生源、高年级、艺术专业、登陆色情网站、接受婚前性行为等因素呈正相关(P<0.01).定性调查显示,大学生对婚前性行为的认识呈多元化,但只有少数人将其与健康问题相联系.结论 应加强大学生艾滋病、性健康教育及行为干预工作.     

广州市1292名青少年性态度分析

目的为了解广州市青少年对生殖健康知识以及对生殖健康服务的认知程度；积极配合教育部门开展青春期性教育，让青少年了解青春期的性发育和身体变化趋势，为他们今后一生的健康和幸福打下良好基础。方法本项目以社区为单位进行研究，年龄范围包括10～24岁的青少年共1292人开展问卷调查。结果年龄越大对性态度越开放，男性比女性的性态度相对开放，低年龄组有相当比例对手淫及婚前性行为不了解。结论需要及早开展青少年性与生殖健康教育，有效避免和遏制青少年婚前性行为的发生，促进青少年获得必要的权利和健康成长。     

Sexual attitudes as correlates of sexual details in human figure drawing

The hypothesis that sexual attitudes, as measured by the Sexual Opinion Survey, are related to the explicitness with which nude figures are drawn was examined. The presence or absence of various sexual and nonsexual anatomical features, as well as length and width measurements, were assessed in the drawing of nudes by 17 male and 23 female undergraduates. Individuals with relatively positive sexual attitudes (erotophiles), as compared with individuals with relatively negative attitudes (erotophobes), were more likely to include such details as a glans, a urinary meatus, and chest hair on male figures and pubic hair and nipples on female figures. Positive sexual attitudes were also associated with drawing figures with longer and wider penises, breasts, testicles, and mons. Relationships between sexual attitudes and the drawing of nonsexual body parts were generally not significant. The results are discussed in terms of the pervasive generality of sexual attitudes in influencing quite varied sex-related behaviors.     

Teenage sexual attitudes and behaviour in China: a literature review

China is the most populated of any country in the world. Social norms and values pertaining to love and marriage have changed considerably since the launch of its open-door policy and economic reforms of the 1980s. Attitudes to sex have become more open, while the negative consequences of early sexual intercourse have become issues of health and social concern. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the teenage sexual attitudes and behaviour in contemporary China. A literature review was conducted between 2000 and 2010, using both English (Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ASSIA) and Chinese language databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database). Thirty-six studies were included and reviewed. It was found that young people reported poor sexual knowledge, especially in relation to reproductive matters and sexually transmitted infections. The media, such as television, magazines and the Internet, were seen as their main sources of information on sex. Despite the frequently reported liberal attitudes to sexual behaviour, only a small number of young people had already lost their virginity or been involved in pregnancies. Young men were more likely than young women to report having had sex, while respondents at vocational high schools were less likely to remain virgins than those at common/key high schools. Although the prevalence of sexual intercourse among Chinese teenagers was still lower than that reported in studies conducted in most western countries, the findings do reflect some changes in sexual values and behaviour of young people within the country. They also suggest the need to develop more comprehensive sex education programmes in co-operation with young people, schools, health organisations, families and communities and to make sexual and reproductive health services accessible to teenagers and unmarried young people throughout China.     

Pattern of birth and eating attitudes in young adults: failure to replicate in a warmer climate

OBJECTIVE: Previous research (based in the United Kingdom) has shown a link between warmer temperatures at birth and restrictive eating attitudes in early adulthood. The current study examined whether this pattern can be replicated in a warmer area of the northern hemisphere (Southwest Spain). METHODS: The participants were 261 preuniversity volunteers (125 women and 136 men) born in Extremadura, Southwest Spain. Mann-Whitney tests and chi-square analyses were used to compare the eating characteristics of participants born in warm versus cooler months. Spearman's rho was used to test for dimensional associations between temperature at birth and eating characteristics. RESULTS: There were no links between temperature at birth and restrictive eating attitudes, whether temperature and eating pathology were considered dimensionally or categorically. DISCUSSION: The association of temperature at birth and restrictive eating pathology in early adulthood is not replicable in a warmer climate. Possible explanations are suggested to account for this pattern of findings.     

贵州兴义农村在校儿童性与生殖健康知识及行为调查

目的 了解贵州省兴义市农村在校儿童性与生殖健康知识知晓情况、发生性行为及其影响因素,为改善农村在校儿童性与生殖健康状况提供依据。方法 2015年3-4月采用整群抽样方法对兴义市小学五、六年级和初中一、二年级548名农村在校儿童进行调查,采用单因素及多因素logistic回归分析知识知晓及发生性行为的影响因素。结果 调查的548名儿童中,有297人（54.2%）知晓性与生殖健康知识;多因素logistic回归分析显示,男生（OR_调整=1.454,95% CI=1.027~2.058）、经常与父母交流沟通（OR_调整=1.460,95% CI=1.003~2.125）、经常与老师交流沟通（OR_调整=1.608,95% CI=1.129~2.289）、在校学习过性教育课程（OR_调整=2.035,95% CI=1.418~2.919）是知晓性与生殖健康知识的影响因素。5.8%（32/548）的农村在校儿童发生过性行为,多因素分析显示,经常与父母交流沟通（OR_调整=0.267,95% CI=0.128~0.558）和在校学习过性教育课程（OR_调整=0.447,95% CI=0.216~0.925）是减少儿童过早性行为的保护因素。结论 农村在校儿童性与生殖健康知识待完善,应注意加强学校及家庭教育,营造良好网络环境,促进农村儿童健康成长。