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Developing an Inclusive Model of Young Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Women's Sexual Decision-Making
Rose Wesche1, Madelyn Toman1, Erika L Grafsky1
1Department of Human Development and Family Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Journal of Sex Research
|April 30, 2024
Summary
Young cisgender women
Area of Science:
- Sexual health
- Sociology
- Psychology
Background:
- Improving sexual health outcomes for young cisgender women necessitates understanding diverse decision-making processes.
- Existing research often overlooks the nuances of sexual health choices among women with varied sexual identities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how young cisgender women with diverse sexual identities make decisions about sexual risk reduction.
- To identify factors influencing sexual health strategies and decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 young cisgender women (ages 18-29).
- Participants represented a range of sexual identities including bisexual, heterosexual, lesbian, queer, pansexual, gay, and demisexual.
- Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data on sexual risk reduction decision-making.
Main Results:
- Women adapted sexual health strategies based on relationship commitment, trust, and communication, irrespective of partner's sex or gender.
- Heteronormative influences limited access to sexual health information and safer sex options.
- Women relied more on trust and communication with other women and partners with vaginas compared to men and partners with penises.
- Safer sex practices with partners with vaginas were viewed as hygiene or partner care, not risk reduction.
Conclusions:
- An inclusive model of sexual decision-making should emphasize relationship dynamics.
- Sexual health prevention should be framed within overall well-being, not solely pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Structural factors like heteronormativity and sex-negativity significantly constrain women's sexual health decisions.
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