Nelwyn B. Moore

Virginity Lost, Satisfaction Gained? Physiological and Psychological Sexual Satisfaction at Heterosexual Debut

Despite the literatures focus on (hetero)sexual initiation, little is known about the degree to which young people are satisfied by their first vaginal intercourse experience, let alone the factors that predict satisfaction. This study analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey of 1,986 non-Hispanic White and Black 18- to 25-year-old respondents from four university campuses. Respondents were asked to rate the degree to which their first vaginal intercourse was physiologically and psychologically satisfying. Both Black and White women were significantly less likely than Black and White men to experience considerable or extreme satisfaction at first vaginal intercourse, particularly physiological satisfaction. Among all four gender–race groups, being in a committed relationship with ones sexual partner greatly increased psychological satisfaction, particularly among women. Experiencing less guilt at first sexual intercourse was also strongly associated with psychological satisfaction for women. Developing sexual relationships with partners they care for and trust will foster satisfaction among young people at first vaginal intercourse. These findings highlight strong gender asymmetry in affective sexual experience.

Sexual satisfaction and sexual health among university students in the United States.

Despite the World Health Organizations definition of sexual health as a state of well-being, virtually no public health research has examined sexual well-being outcomes, including sexual satisfaction. Emerging evidence suggests that sexual well-being indicators are associated with more classic measures of healthy sexual behaviors. We surveyed 2168 university students in the United States and asked them to rate their physiological and psychological satisfaction with their current sexual lives. Many respondents reported that they were either satisfied (approximately half) or very satisfied (approximately one third). In multivariate analyses, significant (P < .05) correlates of both physiological and psychological satisfaction included sexual guilt, sexual self-comfort, self-esteem (especially among men), relationship status, and sexual frequency. To enhance sexual well-being, public health practitioners should work to improve sexual self-comfort, alleviate sexual guilt, and promote longer term relationships.

Religiosity and sexual responsibility: relationships of choice.

OBJECTIVE To determine the current influence of womens religiosity upon their sexual attitudes and behavior, including feelings of guilt. METHOD An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 535 female undergraduates at a Midwestern university. RESULTS Higher degrees of religiosity were associated with negative attitudes toward nonprocreative sexual activities, guilt towards masturbation, less likelihood of engaging in sexual intercourse, and fewer sex partners if sexually experienced. No significant differences were found regarding religiosity and physiological or psychological sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSION Religiosity appears related to sexual attitudes and behavior of college women, but not physiological or psychological sexual satisfaction.

Guilt and Lack of Orgasm During Sexual Intercourse: Myth Versus Reality Among College Women

With increasing emphasis on sexual fulfillment, many women perceive a societal expectation that they should always experience orgasm during sexual intercourse although scientific evidence indicates such a goal to be unrealistic. Failure to attain this expectation evokes guilt feelings in some women. This investigation of 556 never-married college women examined the influence of such guilt feelings on risk-related sexual behaviors and physiological/psychological sexual satisfaction. Significant differences identified included cognitive factors in sexual decision-making, number of lifetime sex partners, and levels of physiological/psychological sexual satisfaction. Given the negative role that guilt and unrealistic orgasmic expectations play in the sexual lives of many women, these findings have substantial implications for sex therapists, sex educators, physicians, and researchers.

Parents As First Sexuality Information Sources: Do They Make a Difference in Daughters' Sexual Attitudes and Behavior?

Using a sample of 717 never-married college women, this investigation ascertained first sources of sexuality information to determine their differential effects on future sexual attitudes and behavior. Of parents, teachers, and peers, parents were most often the first source of sexuality information for daughters. Data suggested that the variable, parents as first source, was significantly correlated with several safer sex behaviors as well as more positive sexual attitudes. While teachers, as first sexuality information sources, had the least measurable effect, peers had the most negative effect on sexual decisions.

The Language of Love?-Verbal versus Implied Consent at First Heterosexual Intercourse: Implications for Contraceptive Use.

Abstract Background: Little is known about how young people communicate about initiating intercourse. Purpose: This study was designed to gauge the prevalence of implied versus verbal consent at first intercourse in a U.S. college population, assess effects of consent type on contraceptive use, and explore the influences of gender, race and other factors. Methods: We conducted and analyzed a cross-sectional survey of non-Hispanic white and black students from four universities, exploring associations between verbal and nonverbal consent, contraceptive use and covariates. Results: Among those with consensual first intercourse experiences (N=1883), half (49%) provided nonverbal consent. Black men were the most likely to provide nonverbal consent (61%), followed by white men (55%), black women (51%), and white women (43%). Respondents who used condoms at first intercourse were more likely to provide verbal consent, suggesting that condoms may prompt sexual discussions (or vice versa). In contrast, even when controlling for covariates, those who provided nonverbal consent were less likely to have used contraception (significantly so for women). Discussion: These findings confirm the hypothesis that young people who do not discuss whether to engage in vaginal intercourse for the first time are less likely to use contraception. These results add an important layer to our current conceptual model of sexual development, in particular, how young people adopt, or fail to adopt, behaviors that will keep them healthy once they decide to become sexually active. Translation to Health Education Practice: Enhanced sexual communication skills are greatly needed. Public health practitioners should investigate type of consent in future research and programming, with sensitivity to gender and racial influences.

Sexual Behavior Patterns and Sexual Risk-Taking among Women and Men at a Historically Black University

Enrollment in college engages unmarried students in a timeless conundrum. Armed with personal values formed from life experiences, such as family, peers, and religion, students arrive on campuses that offer opportunities to increase their independence, while concurrently, strong peer pressure encourages sexual behaviors that possibly conflict with their values. Additionally, research now reveals that individuals engage in their most extensive identity exploration during emerging adulthood, the usual college age, rather than early adolescence as previously believed (Arnett, 2000). This convergence has been reflected in decades of increases in premarital sexual involvement of college students and their risk-taking sexual practices, such as nonprotected sexual activity and mixing alcohol and sexual intercourse (Cooper, 2002; Langer, Warheit, and McDonald, 2001; Reinsch et al., 1992; Robinson and Jedlicka, 1982).