A Prospective Study of the Sexual, Emotional, and Behavioral Correlates Associated With Young Women's First and Usual Coital Events
Received 8 June 2009; accepted 30 December 2009. published online 15 March 2010.
Abstract
Context
First coitus is considered a major transitional event imbued with cultural relevance. Research has focused on classifying women as virgins, with primary interest in pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection prevention and less on sexuality. This study prospectively explored young women's sexual interest and love at first and subsequent coitus.
Methods
Daily diary data were collected during a longitudinal study of young women's sexual health (N = 387; 14–17 years at enrollment). Variables of interest included sexual interest, love, and contraceptive and disease prevention behaviors. Analysis of variance and multinomial logistic regression were utilized.
Results
For first coital events, love and sexual interest were reported about “half of the day,” with sexual interest significantly higher on the day of first coitus. Condom use was nine times more likely than no method at first compared to later coital events. For subsequent coitus, feeling of being in love was significantly higher compared to first coitus, with average sexual interest and love significantly higher with use of no contraceptive method over condoms. Condoms were associated with higher feelings of being in love, but lower sexual interest compared to hormonal contraception.
Conclusions
The results indicated that sexual interest and love are independent components of coital behavior. Yet the results also suggest that young women's first coitus does not fully capture the expected significance of ”losing one's virginity.” Thus, at first coitus, women can actively engage in protective behaviors and focus on pleasure.
aDepartment of Health, Behavior, & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
bSection of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
Address correspondence to: Amanda E. Tanner, Ph.D., M.P.H., University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Department of Public Health Sciences, 9201 University City Blvd, CHHS 427, Charlotte, NC 28223.
ABSTRACT