Assessing sexual aversion in college students: the Sexual Aversion Scale

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Sexual aversion disorder is a newly listed criterion in the DSM-III-R.
• Understanding sexual fears and avoidance is crucial for college student mental health.
• The AIDS crisis presents unique challenges to sexual health and behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the Sexual Aversion Scale (SAS) for assessing sexual fears and avoidance.
• To investigate the prevalence and gender differences in sexual fears among college students.
• To explore the impact of the AIDS crisis on sexual attitudes and behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A 30-item questionnaire, the Sexual Aversion Scale, was administered to 382 college students.
• The study assessed internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the SAS.
• Statistical analyses were used to compare gender differences in sexual anxiety and avoidance.

Main Results:

• The Sexual Aversion Scale demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability.
• Female students reported higher levels of sexual anxiety, fear of intercourse, and avoidance of sexual situations.
• Male students reported greater sexual frustration and a desire for increased sexual activity, moderated by fear of sexually transmitted diseases.

Conclusions:

• Sexual fears and avoidance are prevalent among college students.
• The AIDS crisis appears to be a significant contributing factor to these sexual anxieties.
• Sexual aversion disorder may become a more common mental health issue, particularly if the AIDS epidemic affects the heterosexual population.